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Florida Poly fuels $952 million in annual economic impact

November 20, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University is fueling Florida’s economy with more than $952 million in annual economic activity, according to a new study by distinguished economist Dr. Rick Harper. The analysis shows the University contributes over $523 million each year to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP), including more than $117 million directly within Polk County. The University’s economic activity stems from

Florida Poly opens new hub for innovation: the Gary C. Wendt Engineering Center

November 18, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University celebrated a major milestone with the debut of its 40,000-square-foot Gary C. Wendt Engineering Center (GCW) on Tuesday, Nov. 18. The $15 million facility adds state-of-the-art laboratory space and equipment designed to elevate student learning, fuel innovation and solidify the University’s role as an economic driver for the state of Florida. The GCW features advanced research and

Florida Poly alum at the heart of bioprinting innovation

November 17, 2025

Dr. Steven Chisolm ’19 believes the future of medicine is being built layer by layer, literally. What may sound like science fiction, such as 3D printing functional hearts or kidneys for transplant, is quickly becoming possible, and he is among the innovators helping turn that vision into reality. A proud Florida Polytechnic University mechanical engineering graduate, Chisolm is now a

Florida Poly faculty joins national committee on recycling innovation

November 14, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University’s Dr. Malak Anshassi has earned national recognition for her research advancing recycling, solid waste management and sustainability. She was recently appointed to serve as a recycling expert on a prestigious committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to address the pressing problem of waste reduction. Anshassi, an assistant professor of environmental engineering, was selected

From boot camp to Blue Origin: Engineering student builds future at Florida Poly

November 10, 2025

Celebrating Veterans Day Every Veterans Day, Florida Polytechnic University student Jonny Anderson can’t help but reflect on the journey that led him from serving in both the Marine Corps and Air Force Reserve to helping build rockets for space technology company Blue Origin. With determination squarely focused on earning a mechanical engineering degree, Anderson is living a dream many students

Florida Poly and South Korean university GIST team up to drive global STEM research

November 6, 2025

A new partnership between Florida Polytechnic University and South Korea’s Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) is set to boost academic and research collaboration at both institutions, widely recognized for advancing STEM education. The partnership facilitates student and faculty exchanges as well as research initiatives, with the goal of elevating the quality and impact of each university’s scholarship and

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Florida Poly appoints Dr. Brad Thiessen to lead academic vision as provost and VP

May 8, 2025

Dr. Brad Thiessen has been named provost and vice president of academic affairs of Florida Polytechnic University, where he will serve as the institution’s chief academic officer, guiding the quality, integrity and advancement of its academic mission.

Florida Poly and OCOM announce strategic affiliation to strengthen Florida’s STEM-to-medical pipeline

May 5, 2025

Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM) and Florida Polytechnic University have announced a strategic affiliation aimed at creating a seamless pathway from undergraduate STEM education to professional medical training.

Florida Poly celebrates largest graduating class in University history

May 4, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University reached a significant milestone on Sunday, May 4, as it celebrated its largest commencement ceremony to date. More than 330 students earned in-demand degrees at the state’s only all-STEM public university, ready to make important contributions to their industries.

Florida Poly brothers set to graduate, build future success

May 2, 2025

Among the more than 330 Phoenixes who will celebrate their high-demand STEM degrees during Florida Polytechnic University’s commencement on Sunday, May 4, are brothers Dimitri and Taki Tsetsekas, campus leaders and business partners from Palm Harbor, Florida.

Q&A: Tenacious grad ready to power the future of energy

May 2, 2025

The Florida Polytechnic University experience has been transformative for Prisca Chavannes ’25. She arrived as a quiet freshman from Lehigh Acres, Florida, and has grown into a confident and driven campus leader.

Q&A: Data science grad fueled by family, empowered by data

May 1, 2025

Maria Valencia ’25 will be proud to represent her family when she receives her bachelor’s degree in data science from Florida Polytechnic University on Sunday, May 4. She said she is honored to show what she has done with the opportunities her mother worked so hard for.

Grad student’s pitch wins $2K for pioneering asthma monitoring device

April 29, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University graduate student Carson Eelman’s entrepreneurial pitch for a high-tech asthma monitoring device earned him second place at the 2025 Florida Blue Healthcare Pitch Competition on April 25, at the University of South Florida.

Rising leaders celebrated as 2025-2026 Presidential Ambassadors

April 28, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University’s newest crop of Presidential Ambassadors is ready to make an impact. The nine students selected for the prestigious 2025-2026 cohort were officially inducted during a special ceremony on Friday, April 25, marking the beginning of their leadership journey at the University.

Seniors wow industry sponsors at Florida Poly’s largest Capstone Showcase

April 24, 2025

With models, displays and polished presentations at the ready, 45 teams of Florida Polytechnic University students showed off their high-tech industry-sponsored projects at the University’s seventh annual Capstone Design Showcase on Wednesday, April 23.

Seniors pledge integrity and excellence at Order of the Engineer induction

April 23, 2025

With a pledge to uphold the standards and dignity of the engineering profession, nearly 100 Florida Polytechnic University students were inducted into the Order of the Engineer on Wednesday, April 23.

Inaugural Research Day showcases student innovation

April 22, 2025

High-quality student research took center stage at the inaugural Florida Polytechnic University Research Day on Monday, April 21. Nearly 125 projects filled the Barnett Applied Research Center, demonstrating the advanced undergraduate and graduate research taking place across all disciplines at the state’s only 100% STEM institution.

Q&A: Grad ready to power the future at Duke Energy

April 21, 2025

When Lang Towl ’25 graduates with a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering on Sunday, May 4, he will launch his career as a distribution engineer with Duke Energy in St. Petersburg, Florida. Once settled, he plans to take advantage of his new location and break from studying to return to surfing, one of his favorite pastimes.