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Florida Polytechnic University employees watch the live broadcast of a NASA diver performing an underwater test of the University’s student-designed tool dock as part of NASA’s Micro-g NExT Challenge.

NASA tests Florida Poly student-designed tool to improve spacewalks

August 7, 2026

When astronauts venture outside the International Space Station to perform critical maintenance, it is essential for them to access and store their tools quickly and conveniently. Every tool must remain securely attached to their spacesuit while still being readily available when needed. A team of Florida Polytechnic University mechanical engineering students spent 10 months developing a one-handed wearable tool dock designed to make that process easier, faster and more efficient. NASA put the team’s tool to the test at Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Florida Polytechnic University senior Avery Reef at his internship location, Watts Water Technologies.

Student internship brings product development ideas to life

August 6, 2026

Avery Reef, a mechanical engineering student at Florida Polytechnic University, is getting a front-row seat to how products progress from a simple idea to the factory floor. The hands-on experience is helping shape his future engineering career. Reef is an intern with Watts Water Technologies, a global leader in water system solutions.

Phoenix Racing at Florida Polytechnic University crosses the finish line and take third place among U.S. teams in the American Solar Challenge cross-country solar vehicle race.

Phoenix Racing finishes 3rd among U.S. teams in cross-country solar race debut

August 4, 2026

Phoenix Racing crossed the finish line to place third among U.S. teams and sixth overall in its debut at the biennial Electrek American Solar Challenge on Saturday, Aug. 1.

Polk State College President Anastasios Kamoutsas and Florida Polytechnic University President Devin Stephenson sign an expanded transfer agreement July 30 at Florida Poly’s Barnett Applied Research Center, joined by legislators, trustees, industry representatives and students.

Polk State and Florida Poly partner to build regional STEM pipeline

July 30, 2026

Polk State College and Florida Polytechnic University have entered into an articulation agreement, establishing the Eagle to Phoenix Pathway program for students. Polk State President Anastasios Kamoutsas and Florida Poly President Devin Stephenson signed the agreement on Thursday, July 30, strengthening the partnership between the institutions and expanding opportunities for students.

Florida Poly electrical engineering student Cooper Hawk at The Haskell Company in Jacksonville where he is an intern this summer.

Florida Poly student designs electrical systems for real-world impact

July 28, 2026

When Cooper Hawk began searching for his first engineering internship, he was looking for more than a typical summer job. He wanted hands-on experience with real impact.
The Florida Polytechnic University electrical engineering student found exactly that with The Haskell Company in Jacksonville, Florida,

An aerial view of the Florida Polytechnic University campus. Florida Poly's degree are among the highest paying in New York Federal Reserve Bank analysis.

Florida Poly degrees match nation’s highest-paying majors

July 27, 2026

Engineering and technology fields dominate the nation’s highest-paying college majors, according to a recent analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. At Florida Polytechnic University, students are preparing for careers at the forefront of those high-demand, high-wage fields.

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On the fast track to success

July 13, 2019

Underrepresented students from the Tampa Bay region and across the country learned the important role they can play in the future of transportation during the Garrett A. Morgan Youth Symposium held at Florida Polytechnic University on Saturday, July 13, 2019. The symposium is part of the 48th National Meeting and Training Conference of the Conference of Minority Training Officials held

Historic agreement to provide seamless path from Polk State to Florida Polytechnic University

July 12, 2019

Polk State College President Angela Garcia Falconetti and Florida Polytechnic University President Randy Avent will sign an articulation agreement establishing the first seamless pathway for students from Polk County’s state college to the leading institution of engineering and applied sciences. The event will be held Tuesday, July 16, at 11:30 a.m. in LLC 2188 on the Polk State Lakeland Campus,

Fall orientation to ignite excitement for Florida Polytechnic University

July 10, 2019

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

Powering the future through a passion for engineering

July 2, 2019

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

Florida Polytechnic University holds key to economic growth says President Avent

June 28, 2019

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

Destination Aviation Camp fuels up on knowledge at Florida Polytechnic University

June 26, 2019

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 fun awaits Florida Polytechnic University students this weekend

June 21, 2019

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

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