Florida Polytechnic University’s Phoenix Racing team is preparing for its first 1,500-mile cross-country solar race, the centerpiece of two national competitions in Minnesota this month. The team will compete in the Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix and the Electrek American Solar Challenge, a grueling endurance race from the Twin Cities to Texas.
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.
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
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,
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,
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
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
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
Geoffrey Doback has no doubts of where he wants his career ambitions to take him. The Florida Polytechnic University student has been captivated by aviation and the so-called next frontier ever since he was a young boy. “My first experience with aviation was at an air show when I was 7 years old. I was obsessed after that,” said Doback.
LAKELAND, Fla.– For the first time, Florida Polytechnic University will have a presence at the annual Statewide Job Fair, one of the largest career events in the state focused on the recruitment of graduates and alumni from Florida’s public universities. This years’ event will be held Wednesday, May 8 at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando. The job
As Emily Yates carefully fixes her graduation cap moments before the Florida Polytechnic University commencement, she can’t help but think about the hard work, the long nights, and all of the sacrifice that brought her to this moment. “I can’t believe this day is here already,” said Yates, who received a bachelor’s degree in science and technology management with a
Ohio native Max Cowan ’19 came to Florida Poly ready to tackle new challenges and expand his critical thinking. As he pursued a computer science degree with a concentration in cybersecurity, Max discovered new interests in building autonomous systems and machine learning. He interned as a cybersecurity analyst at Phacil, Inc. in Cocoa Beach, Florida, and later fulfilled another internship
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.
