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A group of students in front of the IST on the first day of the 2026-27 academic year, which saw record enrollment.

Record enrollment propels Florida Poly into new era of growth

August 17, 2026

Florida Polytechnic University soared into the 2026-27 academic year on Monday, Aug. 17, welcoming a record enrollment of 2,342 students. The milestone represents a remarkable 35% increase in total student enrollment over the last two years, up from over 1,900 students in 2025 and more than 1,700 in 2024, further solidifying Florida Poly’s reputation as a premier destination for high-demand STEM education.

Aerial image of the Innovation, Science and Technology Building at Florida Poly, which was named a Collegiate Purple Star Campus for veterans services.

Florida Poly earns Collegiate Purple Star Campus designation for veteran support

August 14, 2026

Florida Polytechnic University has been designated as a Collegiate Purple Star Campus, a state-recognized honor affirming its commitment to supporting military-connected students, veterans and active-duty families.

Naibys Alzugaray, a rising senior majoring in computer science at Florida Polytechnic University, during her internship at EA in Orlando.

Florida Poly senior turns EA Madden 27 internship into software engineering career

August 14, 2026

For Naibys Alzugaray, landing an internship at Electronic Arts (EA) in Orlando, Florida, was the realization of a dream that started in high school. But by the end of the summer, that dream became a permanent reality. On the final day of her internship on Aug. 7, the Florida Polytechnic University rising senior received a full-time software engineer job offer to return to EA after graduation to join the company’s Software Engineer Academy crew.

Florida Polytechnic University Men’s Soccer player Fernando Martinez during the University’s first media day.

Florida Poly’s student-athletes take center stage at inaugural media day

August 11, 2026

With the fall 2026 semester just days away, Florida Polytechnic University’s first student-athletes donned their new uniforms, laced up their cleats and stepped into the spotlight Monday, Aug. 10, for the University’s inaugural media day for the men’s and women’s soccer and cross country teams as they prepare for their first season of competition.

The Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE) and representatives from Florida Polytechnic University gather during CPHE’s inaugural site visit at the institution on Aug. 5-6.

Commission for Public Higher Education completes first accreditation site visit at Florida Polytechnic University

August 10, 2026

The Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE), a nascent institutional accreditor, today announced the successful completion of its inaugural site visit at Florida Polytechnic University on Aug. 5-6, marking a historic milestone for both organizations. The visit was the first conducted by CPHE, making Florida Poly the first institution to advance through this critical phase of the Commission’s accreditation process.

Florida Polytechnic University employees watch the live broadcast of a NASA diver performing an underwater test of the University’s student-designed tool dock as part of NASA’s Micro-g NExT Challenge.

NASA tests Florida Poly student-designed tool to improve spacewalks

August 7, 2026

When astronauts venture outside the International Space Station to perform critical maintenance, it is essential for them to access and store their tools quickly and conveniently. Every tool must remain securely attached to their spacesuit while still being readily available when needed. A team of Florida Polytechnic University mechanical engineering students spent 10 months developing a one-handed wearable tool dock designed to make that process easier, faster and more efficient. NASA put the team’s tool to the test at Johnson Space Center in Houston.

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Florida Poly launches innovative STEM support for high schools

September 24, 2020

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University has taken on a new initiative to support high schools throughout the state by providing a virtual network of trained learning assistants. More than a dozen Florida Poly students are now working as virtual tutors to help high school students stay on track in their studies, specifically in calculus and other STEM disciplines. The

Innovative health device takes Florida Poly students to statewide competition finals

September 24, 2020

A pair of Florida Polytechnic University students have developed innovative new technology to keep newly discharged patients out of the hospital. They recently advanced to the final round of a statewide healthcare competition. Megan Morano and Ethan Medjuck were finalists in the highly competitive Florida Blue Health Innovation Challenge. The annual contest seeks solutions for real healthcare problems from the

Professor and student gain prestigious Fulbright appointments

September 22, 2020

A Florida Polytechnic University assistant professor and a senior computer science student have been selected by the Fulbright Program for prestigious academic appointments. Dr. Sesha Srinivasan, chair of Florida Poly’s Department of Natural Sciences, was selected to the Fulbright Specialist Program. The effort allows overseas universities, cultural centers, and other institutions to develop collaborative projects with leading U.S. academic professionals.

University president recognized as one of Florida’s top executives for second consecutive year

September 21, 2020

LAKELAND, Fla. – Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University, was selected for the second consecutive year as one of Florida’s most influential business leaders. Florida Trend magazine just released its annual Florida 500 list recognizing the state’s top executives in a variety of economic sectors and industries. “I am honored to receive this recognition once again, as

First academic honor society at Florida Poly takes root

September 17, 2020

Florida Polytechnic University engineering and computer science students with stellar grades, involvement, and character are now eligible for selection to the new Mu Omega Chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Eta Kappa Nu (IEEE-HKN) academic honor society. This is Florida Poly’s first academic honor society, recognizing students who excel academically and among their peers. “Eta Kappa Nu

Aerospace concentration helps students take flight

September 16, 2020

Florida has been the epicenter of the U.S. aerospace industry for decades. Families have built traditions around watching the historic launch of space shuttles and rockets from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Many children grew up looking at the sky in awe of a rocket disappearing as it goes into orbit. This week is National Aerospace Week,

Florida Poly breaks into national rankings of top engineering colleges

September 14, 2020

After only six years in existence, Florida Polytechnic University made its first appearance in the national rankings of the prestigious U.S News and World Report as a top 75 engineering college without a doctorate degree.

Sky’s the limit for students in tactical fighter aircraft internship

September 10, 2020

Two Florida Polytechnic University students are getting a high-flying look at an industry that plays a major role Florida’s high-tech future. And the opportunity will surely shape their professional future as well. Senior Krystal Rivera and junior Andre Archer are completing an internship at Draken International in Lakeland, Florida, the leading company in adversary air service in the world. Both

Microsoft expert offers project management insight to Capstone students

September 9, 2020

Florida Polytechnic University students working on their capstone senior design projects received a lesson in successful project management from an expert in the field on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Justin Denham, a modern service management consultant at tech giant Microsoft, volunteered to lead a series of virtual lectures to help these students improve the way they move forward with their projects.

Florida Poly students remain in demand amid disrupted job market

September 8, 2020

Life after graduation can be scary in the era of COVID-19. The novel coronavirus has severely affected the current job market with hiring freezes, limited recruitment, and major layoffs across many industries. However, it is a challenge Florida Polytechnic University students are prepared to face as they graduate equipped with a highly desirable STEM degree. Pairris Jones, associate director of

Purple Fire events offer fun, friendship during Labor Day weekend

September 4, 2020

Students will have to venture no farther than the Oak Grove and the Florida Polytechnic University soccer field to find fun and exciting events this Labor Day weekend. Purple Fire Weekends, which began at the start of the fall semester, culminate Sept. 4-6 with events designed to bring students together and promote fun, friendship, and fitness. All activities will take

Internship with multinational software company blossoms into ongoing opportunity

September 3, 2020

A summer internship with multinational software company Red Hat turned into a long-term remote work position for Florida Polytechnic University senior Isabel Zimmerman. “It is such a good experience and the team I work with is so much fun and so willing to share their knowledge,” said Zimmerman, who is majoring in data science with a concentration quantitative economics. “They