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.
One of the most difficult parts of transitioning to university life is knowing how to get things done and where to go for help. Florida Polytechnic University’s orientation program aims to make this easier while also giving incoming students strong connections to new peers and mentors across campus. “Orientation is fun and interactive and it really helps new students form
A summer internship at Siemens in Orlando has become one of the most powerful educational motivators of Florida Polytechnic University senior Kelsey Marin’s life. “I love this experience. It’s amazing,” Marin said. “I love being surrounded by engineers and everyone is super intelligent. Every day, every hour I’ve been learning something new.” Marin, a senior mechanical engineering major with a
There is a need to build a robust “creative class” in central Florida to improve the economic future of the region, and Florida Polytechnic University can play a key role in making it happen. That was the core message Dr. Randy K. Avent, Florida Poly president, delivered at the I-4 Commercial Corridor Conference held on Friday, June 28, at the
Future aviators and engineers received a close-up look at Florida Polytechnic University this week as part of a program designed to fuel their budding interest in aviation and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines. Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE), the educational component of Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In Inc., hosts the Destination Aviation Summer Camp for students ages 11 to
Summer officially starts today and there are plenty of things for Florida Polytechnic University students to do in the area this weekend to mark today’s end of the Summer A Session and celebrate the beginning of the most fun and relaxing part of the year. Dive-In Movie June 21 – 7-9 p.m. Put on your swimsuit and head to Gandy
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
