
Florida Poly kicks off women’s soccer program with inaugural head coach
Florida Polytechnic University has named Jack Paris as the first head coach of its women’s soccer program as the University continues building its new athletics department.

Florida Polytechnic University has named Jack Paris as the first head coach of its women’s soccer program as the University continues building its new athletics department.

Florida Polytechnic University marked a significant milestone on Saturday, May 9, celebrating its largest graduating class to date as more than 430 students crossed the stage at the University’s 2026 commencement.

Andrew McDonnell ’26 never stopped dreaming about the stars. As a child, he looked up at the sky, wondering what was out there, and that curiosity followed him to Florida Poly, where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, took aerospace courses, and worked on a lunar mobility senior capstone project. He graduates on May 9.

Florida Polytechnic University has reached on-campus housing capacity for the upcoming academic year, reflecting continued strong demand and record student interest.

Florida Polytechnic University inducted 12 students into its highly selective Presidential Ambassadors program, where they will serve as official student representatives at key University events and engage with campus and community leaders.

Samantha Bentley ’26 didn’t always feel ready to step into leadership or research roles during her time as a computer science student at Florida Polytechnic University, but discovered she grew the most by doing it anyway. She will receive her bachelor’s degree on Saturday, May 9.

While many events in the community have been canceled in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, one of Florida Polytechnic University’s richest student traditions will continue in a virtual environment. The annual Capstone Design Showcase, which features the hard work of seniors challenged to solve industry problems, has shifted from a one-day event to a three-day virtual presentation. “I

Editor’s note: While the COVID-19 situation has caused Florida Polytechnic University to shift to remote instruction for the remainder of the semester and reschedule our commencement ceremony, the hard work of our graduating seniors continues. This story is part of a series of stories highlighting and honoring our 2020 graduates. When Matthew Santalla was a high school student in Orlando,

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit our webpage for resources and additional information. Updated April 23: The information below regarding eligibility of international students to receive CARES Act funding has been updated to reflect a change in the requirements from the US Department of Education. Dear students, We all

The Florida Poly Phoenix will soon have a new, more dynamic look, and students had the opportunity to play a key role in defining its final design during a virtual town hall on Thursday, April 16. Well-known gaming illustrator Travis Howell led the event and met with about 50 Florida Poly students, faculty, staff, and parents who logged on eager

Students and employees may be spending their days at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that doesn’t mean they can’t maintain a good workout routine and keep their bodies in shape. Derek Lower, student life coordinator at Florida Polytechnic University, said there are many options for people to stay active and physically healthy at home – even in small

Florida Polytechnic University announced that its Spring 2020 graduates will get their chance to walk to Pomp and Circumstance at a special commencement ceremony scheduled for Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. The event will be held at the RP Funding Center, located at 701 W. Lime St. in Lakeland. The COVID-19 pandemic shifted all universities to remote instruction for the rest

Editor’s note: While the COVID-19 situation has caused Florida Polytechnic University to shift to remote instruction for the remainder of the semester and reschedule our commencement ceremony, the hard work of our graduating seniors continues. This story is part of a series of stories highlighting and honoring our 2020 graduates. A childhood spent watching TV police dramas beside her family

Completing coursework remotely due to COVID-19 concerns doesn’t mean that Florida Polytechnic University students are disconnected from campus. The University has worked to transition many of the vibrant on-campus resources and events to a digital space, culminating with the recent launch of the Virtual Student Union on the University’s website and in the Florida Poly Mobile app. “This digital hub

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit our webpage for resources and additional information. Dear students, I hope this finds you healthy and having settled in as best as you are able to focus now on those fast-approaching final exams. There are several items in today’s update: Withdrawal date extension: The regular

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit our webpage for resources and additional information. Students, I’m happy to introduce the Florida Poly Virtual Student Union, a digital hub for students that is designed to make remote learning and campus engagement – from wherever you are – a little bit easier. Need-to-know resources,

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit our webpage for resources and additional information. Dear Students, I hope everyone is staying well and adjusting to your new remote environments. Working and learning remotely is a big adjustment that we’ve all had to make. I’m pleased to hear about and see many situations

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. Visit our webpage for resources and additional information. All, The work everyone has been doing to keep our University running smoothly and educating our students is nothing short of inspiring. With remote work, remote instruction and limited on-campus staff, we are doing our part to minimize












Dr. Lily Li is a Professor of Physics at Florida Polytechnic University, where she specializes in materials science, analytical imaging, advanced manufacturing, and biomedical devices. Prior to joining Florida Poly in 2025, she spent 11 years at SUNY Potsdam, where she advanced to Full Professor and developed a 3-2 Engineering dual-degree program with Clarkson University. Her work emphasizes experiential learning and research-driven education to prepare students for careers in STEM fields.