News

Latest News

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

All Stories

Purple Fire Week kicks off the fall 2019 semester

August 26, 2019

The annual celebration included events across campus to help students connect, have fun, and get fired up about the new academic year. This year’s events included intramural sports and a fun glow party. Contact: Lydia Guzman Director of Communications 863-874-8557

Students urged to embrace innovation at speaker series

August 23, 2019

Technology is changing so dramatically and so rapidly that students need to be prepared to shift with it or risk getting left behind. That was the message Joe Viscuso, senior vice president and director of strategic growth at engineering and construction services firm Pennoni, delivered to a roomful of Florida Polytechnic University students at the first Innovation Speaker Series lecture

Orientation welcomes new Phoenixes to Florida Polytechnic University

August 20, 2019

Freshmen and new transfer students began getting to know the Florida Polytechnic University way of life during new student orientation held August 19-20. The two-day event introduced new students to the many resources available to them during their time at the University. It included a welcome from Dr. Randy Avent, Florida Poly’s president, as well as discussions about academic support

Florida Polytechnic University addresses state needs with new engineering degrees

August 19, 2019

The state of Florida will be closer to meeting its need for qualified engineers in high-demand fields when Florida Polytechnic University begins the 2019-20 academic year offering three new degrees: Environmental Engineering, Engineering Mathematics, and Engineering Physics. These programs expand the academic offerings for students as they seek to pursue a high-demand STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) degree. Classes

Purple Fire Week to heat up the fall semester

August 16, 2019

The Florida Polytechnic University campus will be awash in tie-dye, casino-style games, and fun competition when Purple Fire Week welcomes students back to the fall semester on Wednesday, Aug. 21. “It’s a fun time to come out and experience something different,” said Tonya Chestnut, director of student development at Florida Poly. Chestnut said the welcome-back events, which extend through Saturday,

Freshmen start on right foot with tips from experienced Phoenixes

August 14, 2019

The first day of the fall semester is just around the corner. The start of a new academic year can be a time of uncertainty for new students. That is why those who have been around Florida Polytechnic University for a few years provide some help to ease the transition. Florida Poly juniors, seniors, and alumni offer their best advice

New SGA president fired up for upcoming academic year

August 12, 2019

Ryan Perez has a vision for the perfect student experience at Florida Polytechnic University. He wants to make sure every student feels connected, supported, and part of the vibrant university community. And he wants them to have a great time while they’re at it. “My goal is to get students more involved in student government and student life in general

Fulbright Scholar aims to improve Iraqi agriculture

August 5, 2019

Zubaidah Sabah is beginning a journey at Florida Polytechnic University that she hopes will one day transform the agricultural future of her home country of Iraq. “I just want people in my country to see how automation and using technology – robotics, aerial vehicles and drones in agriculture – will change our situation,” said Sabah, who received a bachelor’s degree

Proud Phoenix delivers magic and happiness through data engineering

August 1, 2019

Andre Goode ’18 gets to wake up every morning and go to work at a place most people only dream of visiting. It is the place where magic happens. Disney magic, that is. “One of the most enjoyable aspects of being a Disney technologist is being able to see the fruit of my own labor,” Goode said in a telephone

Internship with global company opens door to promising career

July 29, 2019

Natalie Brum has found a career she’d like to stick with. The Florida Polytechnic University senior is completing her second summer internship in Maplewood, Minnesota, as a project engineer at 3M, a company known for its innovation in products used around the world, including Command hooks, Post-it Notes, and thousands of other items. “I’m passionate about 3M and all the

Florida Polytechnic University senior mixes engineering and neuroscience into dream internship

July 25, 2019

Some of the most memorable, attention-grabbing ads and shows on TV today are optimized using advanced neuroanalytics to create content that consumers will respond to. Florida Polytechnic University senior Chelsea Reeves has spent her summer helping improve that process as a Neuroanalytics Engineer in the Big Apple. “It’s been absolutely wonderful,” said Reeves, an electrical engineering major. “I wanted an

First Girl Scouts camp at Florida Polytechnic University to fuse leadership and STEM

July 24, 2019

LAKELAND, Fla. – Dozens of high school girls from the West Central Florida region will have the unique opportunity to experience total immersion in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) during the very first Girl Scouts Camp CEO STEM at Florida Polytechnic University July 26-28. About 30 girls in grades 10-12 will spend two days and nights on the iconic