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From NASA to startup: Alumna launches AI platform to bridge tech and policy

September 5, 2025

Payton Barnwell ’19 has dedicated her successful high-tech career to creating meaningful impact through innovation. She helped optimize space station crops as a NASA intern, worked in mission control at Virgin Galactic, and led geospatial product development at SkyFi, creating easy-to-use tools from complex data and imagery. Now, the Florida Polytechnic University alumna has embarked on a new adventure. Barnwell

NSF-funded study uses brain data to rethink engineering education

September 3, 2025

Fueled by a new National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, innovative research at Florida Polytechnic University aims to redefine the way professors approach engineering design education. Dr. Elisabeth Kames, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, received a $200,000 grant to study how students cognitively engage with engineering design challenges. The research will employ neurocognitive tools such as electroencephalography (EEG), as well as

Florida Poly student research uncovers laser light from peacock feathers

August 27, 2025

Undergraduate discovery sparks nationwide scientific attention Florida Polytechnic University senior Anthony Fiorito has captured national attention in the scientific community with groundbreaking research revealing that peacock feathers can emit precise laser light. Fiorito, an engineering physics major, is the first author of a study that has been spotlighted by leading publications including Science, Ars Technica, Interesting Engineering and MSN. The

New SGA president focuses on student voices, organizational strength

August 22, 2025

Connection, communication and advocacy are Colby Manrodt’s top goals as the new president of Florida Polytechnic University’s Student Government Association. “I think our University is in a period of transitioning and going through a lot of change, so we are going to focus this year on bringing better forms of communication to our student body,” said Manrodt, a senior majoring

Florida Poly’s enrollment hits record high, momentum soars

August 18, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University welcomed the new academic year on Monday, Aug. 18 with a record-breaking total enrollment of more than 1,900 students, marking a more than 10% increase over last year’s historic enrollment and the second consecutive year of growth. “This remarkable enrollment underscores the growing recognition of Florida Poly’s value in preparing students for high-demand STEM careers,” said Dr.

Florida Poly reaches new heights with record Fulbright participation

August 13, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University is welcoming the largest cohort of distinguished Fulbright awardees in its history, with international scholars and students set to pursue advanced research and graduate studies during the 2025-26 academic year. The group of 21 graduate students and scholars participating in the prestigious U.S. State Department program reflects the University’s solid commitment to fostering global collaborations and advancing

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Remote instruction extended through rest of semester

March 17, 2020

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit our webpage for resources and additional information. Following the direction we received from the State University System today, Florida Poly will extend our remote-learning initiatives for the rest of the semester and develop an alternative schedule and/or method of holding commencement for the spring ceremony.

Update on working remotely for qualified employees

March 16, 2020

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit our webpage for resources and additional information. March 16, 5:30 p.m. Dear employees, For the safety and well-being of the Florida Poly community, and in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Florida Poly is encouraging all qualified employees to work from home for at least two

Update on remote instruction, travel, and events

March 12, 2020

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit our webpage for resources and additional information. March 12, 3 p.m. Dear Florida Poly community, The University continues taking significant steps to protect our students, faculty, staff, and the Polk County community from the ongoing global COVID-19 outbreak. It’s important to remember that although the

Florida Poly moving to a mandatory two-week period of remote instruction

March 11, 2020

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit this webpage for resources and additional information. March 11, 3 p.m. Dear Florida Poly community, Your health and safety is our top priority and we have been working to ensure our campus environment is as safe and clean as possible. With that said, we need

Florida Poly senior rockets toward SpaceX dream job

March 10, 2020

Airplanes, rockets, and all that lies beyond our world have always fascinated Geoffrey Doback. The Florida Polytechnic University senior dreamed about working for NASA when he was just a child. As he entered middle school, Doback learned about SpaceX, a private aerospace and transportation company working to revolutionize space technology and eventually enable people to live on other planets. That

State bill proposing to merge Florida Poly with University of Florida ends

March 7, 2020

House Bill 7087 A state bill in the Florida House of Representatives that proposed to merge Florida Polytechnic University and New College of Florida into the University of Florida. The bill was abandoned on March 6, 2020. Editorials/Statements Lawmakers, put brakes on university merger plan (The Ledger, Mar. 6, 2020) Florida House Republicans are trying to merge three state universities,

Florida Poly ranked #2 for best affordable mechanical engineering degree

March 5, 2020

Florida Polytechnic University has been ranked number two in the nation for delivering quality, affordable mechanical engineering education by Affordable Schools. The website provides resources to help college-bound students find high-quality, affordable programs. The site’s list of the best affordable mechanical engineering degree programs ranked Florida Poly second only to University of the District of Columbia. “Florida Poly is incredibly

State of Florida declares public health emergency

March 4, 2020

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit this webpage for resources and additional information. March 4, 3:30 p.m. Dear Florida Poly community, We continue to closely monitor the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and are taking steps to help keep our students, faculty, and staff healthy. There have been no confirmed cases of

Founding trustee honored by Florida Poly Board of Trustees

March 4, 2020

The Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees approved a resolution honoring former Trustee Richard “Dick” Hallion for his dedication and service to the board and the University during its meeting on Feb. 26. “When the Board of Trustees of Florida Polytechnic University had its first meeting back in 2012, we met in city hall using the city commission chambers and

Florida Poly alum helping smart cities be smarter

March 3, 2020

As metropolitan areas continue transitioning to the “smart cities” of tomorrow, Florida Polytechnic University alum Mitchell Mefford ’18 is working with community and industry leaders to help ensure their organizations are wise when it comes to energy. Mefford is a graduate engineer at Pennoni, a multidisciplinary engineering firm based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He works in the company’s offices in Winter

Purple Fire Robotics battles to number one in statewide competition

February 28, 2020

For the first time, the Purple Fire Robotics Club got to enjoy the sweet taste of victory. The Florida Polytechnic University team not only grabbed its first win in a statewide combat tournament, but they crushed their competitors on their way to becoming undeniable battle champions. The Purple Fire team competed in the 15-pound category at the Robot Battles Tournament

Entrepreneur and tech funder to speak at Florida Poly’s 2020 commencement

February 26, 2020

Renowned Florida entrepreneur Tom E. Wallace has been named commencement speaker for Florida Polytechnic University’s spring 2020 graduation on May 3. Wallace said he’s excited with this new role because the University is exactly what the state was lacking to elevate its tech potential to the likes of Silicon Valley. “I’ve been involved in building the technology ecosystem of the