Gov. Ron DeSantis approved $19 million for Florida Polytechnic University in the state’s 2026-2027 budget on Monday, June 29, fueling the University’s continued growth and expansion as Florida’s only public STEM university.
Florida Polytechnic University had the largest one-year performance gain among all state universities in the Florida Board of Governors’ 2025-26 Performance-Based Funding Model, earning a score of 87 out of 100 and securing nearly $11 million in performance funding.
Florida Polytechnic University graduates earn the highest salaries among alumni from Florida’s public universities five years after graduation, according to a recent analysis by the Tampa Bay Business Journal based on new Florida Department of Education data.
The Florida Polytechnic University Foundation Board of Directors has new leadership, five new members, and five reappointed community leaders. The Florida Poly Board of Trustees approved the appointments on May 22.
Few coaches can match a resume that includes winning an NBA championship alongside Michael Jordan and leading a college program to sustained success on the national stage. Dennis Hopson has done both. Florida Poly has named Hopson as the first head coach of its Men’s Basketball program.
David Zambrano ’26 is on the pioneering edge of a field that has the potential to one day replace modern electronics. He is advancing research in silicon photonics – a technology that uses light instead of electricity to transmit and process data.
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
A student-led effort to express support for Florida Polytechnic University and opposition to a proposed merger with the University of Florida transformed the serene Oak Grove into a setting of boisterous unity on Tuesday, Feb. 25. “We are making a stand today to show that Florida Poly is unique and has a great education system with hands-on, project-based learning and
Freshman Timothy Honeycutt strode up to a kiosk in the center of the Saddle Creek Logistics Commons on Feb. 24 to grab a cupcake and officially declare electrical engineering as his major during Florida Polytechnic University’s first Degree Declaration Day. For Honeycutt, the declaration was a long time coming. “I studied a bunch of circuit stuff on my own time
Fifty companies gathered at the Innovation, Science, and Technology building in Lakeland this week for the annual spring career fair, looking to fill countless positions with the high-tech, high-skilled talent Florida Polytechnic University produces. “We have many employers who started with us back in 2016, when we had only 13 companies here, and many return to campus yearly seeking more
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.
