News

Latest News

Florida Poly fuels $952 million in annual economic impact

November 20, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University is fueling Florida’s economy with more than $952 million in annual economic activity, according to a new study by distinguished economist Dr. Rick Harper. The analysis shows the University contributes over $523 million each year to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP), including more than $117 million directly within Polk County. The University’s economic activity stems from

Florida Poly opens new hub for innovation: the Gary C. Wendt Engineering Center

November 18, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University celebrated a major milestone with the debut of its 40,000-square-foot Gary C. Wendt Engineering Center (GCW) on Tuesday, Nov. 18. The $15 million facility adds state-of-the-art laboratory space and equipment designed to elevate student learning, fuel innovation and solidify the University’s role as an economic driver for the state of Florida. The GCW features advanced research and

Florida Poly alum at the heart of bioprinting innovation

November 17, 2025

Dr. Steven Chisolm ’19 believes the future of medicine is being built layer by layer, literally. What may sound like science fiction, such as 3D printing functional hearts or kidneys for transplant, is quickly becoming possible, and he is among the innovators helping turn that vision into reality. A proud Florida Polytechnic University mechanical engineering graduate, Chisolm is now a

Florida Poly faculty joins national committee on recycling innovation

November 14, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University’s Dr. Malak Anshassi has earned national recognition for her research advancing recycling, solid waste management and sustainability. She was recently appointed to serve as a recycling expert on a prestigious committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to address the pressing problem of waste reduction. Anshassi, an assistant professor of environmental engineering, was selected

From boot camp to Blue Origin: Engineering student builds future at Florida Poly

November 10, 2025

Celebrating Veterans Day Every Veterans Day, Florida Polytechnic University student Jonny Anderson can’t help but reflect on the journey that led him from serving in both the Marine Corps and Air Force Reserve to helping build rockets for space technology company Blue Origin. With determination squarely focused on earning a mechanical engineering degree, Anderson is living a dream many students

Florida Poly and South Korean university GIST team up to drive global STEM research

November 6, 2025

A new partnership between Florida Polytechnic University and South Korea’s Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) is set to boost academic and research collaboration at both institutions, widely recognized for advancing STEM education. The partnership facilitates student and faculty exchanges as well as research initiatives, with the goal of elevating the quality and impact of each university’s scholarship and

All Stories

Florida Polytechnic University junior optimizing new platform for national retailer

June 20, 2019

For the first time in the company’s more than 100-year history, customers can purchase furniture, appliances and other home goods directly from Badcock Home Furniture &more’s website. Florida Polytechnic University junior Phelippe ‘Phil’ Souza-Herod is playing an important role in making it happen. This summer, Souza-Herod is working on a variety of projects to enhance Badcock’s e-commerce and optimizing the

Florida Polytechnic University senior director to lead international research on autonomous vehicles

June 17, 2019

LAKELAND, Fla. – As the Advanced Mobility Institute at Florida Polytechnic University positions itself as a leader in autonomous vehicle research, senior director of special projects Dr. Rahul Razdan will head a new series of reports focused on the testing and validation of this emerging technology around the world. SAE International (Society of Automotive Engineers) approached Razdan to be the

Florida Polytechnic University junior celebrates fatherhood while chasing engineering dreams

June 13, 2019

When Florida Polytechnic University junior Matthew McBride Jr. wakes up on Father’s Day this Sunday, he’ll be celebrated by two of his biggest – and smallest – supporters. His children, Pheenix, 8, and Lincoln, 2, will surely shower him with handmade crafts, giggles, and Father’s Day wishes before they and his wife, Amnesty McBride, hit the pool and launch a

Florida Polytechnic University junior devotes summer to improving airline entertainment

June 12, 2019

Next time Florida Polytechnic University junior Lindsey Gerberich boards a plane, she may feel satisfaction knowing she played a role in the Wi-Fi service she’ll connect to, the payment service she’ll use, and the movie she’ll watch during the flight. Gerberich is interning this summer at Thales Avionics in Melbourne, Florida, working on what she calls “the fun part of

Florida Polytechnic University Rotaract Club strives to serve others above self

June 10, 2019

Dorian Gray had never heard of the Rotaract Club when he began his journey at Florida Polytechnic University in 2016, coming from his native Bahamas. All he knew was that he wanted to focus not only on his classes, but also on his new environment and get involved in the community he now called home. “I came from a Third

Underrepresented students discover possibilities for bright high-tech futures

June 7, 2019

Stanley Pierre Gilles, 17, said he sees himself as a corporate lawyer when he pictures the future. At least those were his plans before participating in the second Summer STEAM Boot Camp at Florida Polytechnic University, designed for first-generation-in-college and low-income high school students in Polk County. “Normally I shy away from engineering and physics because I’m not that strong

Prepare today for hurricane season

June 5, 2019

The Atlantic hurricane season is just getting started, and Florida Poly wants to make sure you’re ready. Preparing now will make it easier to handle potentially treacherous conditions as the first named storms of the year begin forming. Taking simple steps today can prevent stress, worry, and dangerous conditions if a hurricane strikes our area. The following tips and links

Cracking the code to success

June 4, 2019

When Jonathan Gan attended the Florida Poly Career and Internship Fair last February, he wanted to see what kinds of opportunities were available to students, but he didn’t expect employers to take much interest in a sophomore like him. However, his creativity and his passion for learning sparked the interest of a leading software company in Tampa, Florida. Gan, 20,

Florida Polytechnic University professor chosen to join elite international fellowship for female STEM leaders

May 31, 2019

Dr. Grisselle Centeno is making history by becoming the first Florida Polytechnic University professor and one of two first ever in the state to be selected for the prominent and competitive Executive Leadership in Academic Technology, Engineering, and Science (ELATES) program. ELATES at Drexel® University is a prestigious fellowship designed to advance senior women faculty in academic STEM (science, technology,

Florida Polytechnic University research to help citrus industry with faster cheaper greening detection

May 23, 2019

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University researchers have developed a new cutting-edge technology that aims to simplify and make more affordable the detection of citrus greening in groves throughout Florida and beyond. “Citrus greening has posed a terrible threat to crops locally and worldwide as it has no cure,” said Dr. Muhammad R. Abid, assistant professor of computer science and

Florida ranked No. 1 in Higher Education rankings from U.S. News & World Report

May 20, 2019

For the third consecutive year, Florida has been named the No. 1 state in the country for higher education by U.S. News & World Report. Florida Poly is the 12th and newest of the state universities in Florida, and the only university dedicated exclusively to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education. The rankings are based on a variety of

Future electrical engineer pursues Olympic dreams

May 16, 2019

Bruce Hicks has his eyes on Paris. The 2024 Summer Olympic Games, that is. This Florida Polytechnic University sophomore has been successfully competing in archery competitions across the state for more than five years. Now, he divides his energy between his goal of completing a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and the dream of becoming an Olympic athlete. “During my