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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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University police find success combining enforcement with outreach

January 9, 2020

Officers of the Florida Polytechnic University Police Department have seen and done it all. With more than 250 years of law enforcement among them, these seasoned officers use their expertise to keep the Florida Poly community safe every day. “We have no rookies here, so we’ve got a lot of experience among us,” said Chief Richard Holland, who is in

Florida Poly alum spreads his wings at software engineering firm

January 7, 2020

In the year since Sofiane Fellah received his bachelor’s degree at Florida Polytechnic University, he has begun building an enviable career on the outskirts of Washington, D.C. As a full-stack software engineer and artificial intelligence specialist for Image Matters LLC, Fellah is able to leverage his extensive technological skills while continually learning and growing in his position. The Northern Virginia

2019 Florida Poly look back

December 31, 2019

The Florida Polytechnic University community celebrated many milestones and achievements in 2019. New accreditation, degrees, partnerships, grants, and victories marked 12 successful months in the University’s history. Florida Poly generates $289 million in annual economic impact The results of an economic impact assessment showed just how much Florida Poly contributes to the local and state economies each year. In all,

Phoenixes fly home for winter break relaxation

December 23, 2019

Florida Polytechnic University students were eager to begin their winter break from classwork, projects, and testing this December. With plans ranging from quiet nights with family to martial arts training, Phoenixes are making the most of their winter break. Classes resume Jan. 6. McKenzie Lewis Mechanical Engineering Sophomore St. Petersburg, Florida “I like art a lot and I haven’t been

Alum’s creativity combines art and tech

December 18, 2019

The marriage of art and technology is shown in vivid detail in the work created by Florida Polytechnic University alumnus Austin Lubetkin ’19. His enthusiasm for both disciplines is evident in many of the projects he tackled during his final semester at the University this fall. These include stunning digital art on display in the president’s office, an app developed

Improv comedy troupe finds its quirky niche

December 16, 2019

The stress of classwork and the rules of everyday life are quickly replaced by zany unpredictability when the Baked Bean Bois settle in to begin their warm-up. The Florida Polytechnic University improv troupe is finding comedic release while building friendships and gaining important life skills. “I think this really helps people be able to present and know that after you

Florida Poly bands together to spread joy to Lakeland pediatric patients

December 15, 2019

A table overflowing with toy robots, dragons, princess dolls, and building blocks took center stage inside the Wellness Center on Dec. 13 at the culmination of the fourth annual holiday toy drive benefitting pediatric patients at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. A table overflowing with toy robots, dragons, princess dolls, and building blocks took center stage inside the Wellness Center

Winter break campus services and closures

December 13, 2019

We wish you a very pleasant winter break and holiday season. We look forward to seeing you back on campus on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020. The list below outlines the closures and services available at Florida Polytechnic University through the winter break. Housing Residence Halls Sunday, Dec. 15: Residence Halls close at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 3: Residence Halls open

Florida Poly’s FIPR Institute to donate megalodon and other fossils to local schools

December 12, 2019

BARTOW, Fla. – Children at schools and libraries in Polk and Hillsborough counties soon will be able to uncover real, prehistoric megalodon teeth, whale vertebrae, seashells, and mollusks – all between 5 million and 24 million years old. The experience of getting to know these creatures that existed alongside mammoths, mastodons, and sabre tooth cats is thanks to a donation

Florida Poly becomes an Engineering University of Distinction

December 11, 2019

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University is on a path toward excellence by producing a highly skilled STEM workforce, fostering an innovation economy, and providing a return on investment to the state. This makes it an Engineering University of Distinction. Universities of Distinction is an initiative by the Florida Board of Governors to recognize and invest in universities that show

Florida Poly Foundation Board brings student and alumni to the table

December 11, 2019

LAKELAND, Fla. – For the first time, students and alumni will have representation on the Florida Polytechnic University Foundation Board of Directors. Travis Hills ’19 and senior Ryan Perez are the new members of the Foundation Board after the University’s Board of Trustees confirmed the appointments on Wednesday, Dec. 11. “It is important that we have a closer touch with

Computer science team works to improve surgeries at Lakeland hospital

December 9, 2019

A team of computer science students is working to improve the way Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center keeps tabs on critical surgical equipment. Their actions will help keep costs down while making surgery safer. “We are making a vision-tracking system for surgical tray equipment so that we can take a tray of equipment, scan it, and categorize everything on the