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Loved ones share in the college experience at Phoenix Family Day

September 22, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University buzzed with energy on Saturday, Sept. 20, as more than 850 parents, siblings and friends joined students on campus for the annual Phoenix Family Day. Visitors explored the University, played games, tackled hands-on STEM challenges and experienced firsthand the vibrant spirit of the Florida Poly community alongside their favorite Phoenix student. Gladys Diaz, from Miramar, Florida, joined

Colombian National Team coach brings World Cup experience to Florida Poly soccer players

September 19, 2025

Legendary Colombian soccer coach Nelson Abadía brought his expertise and inspiration to Florida Polytechnic University on Thursday, Sept. 18, as he observed the men’s and women’s soccer teams in training and shared advice to strengthen their game. “It was unforgettable. Coach Abadía brought so much knowledge, and his presence alone elevated the atmosphere,” said Sebastian Anzola, captain of Florida Poly’s

Florida Poly professor’s powerful new tool brings higher accuracy to nuclear physics

September 15, 2025

Dr. Ian Bentley, chair of the Department of Physics at Florida Polytechnic University, developed a new machine learning model to improve predictions of nuclear binding energies.

Students face off in epic Humans vs. Zombies Nerf battle

September 12, 2025

A “zombie infection” overtook Florida Polytechnic University during the week of Sept. 8, slowly spreading from three infected students to nearly all the players in a campuswide Humans vs. Zombies Nerf dart battle.

Expert panel explores phosphate mining and its impacts

September 10, 2025

A panel discussion at Florida Polytechnic University on Monday, Sept. 8, examined the history, benefits and future of phosphate mining.

From NASA to startup: Alumna launches AI platform to bridge tech and policy

September 5, 2025

Payton Barnwell ’19 has dedicated her successful high-tech career to creating meaningful impact through innovation. She helped optimize space station crops as a NASA intern, worked in mission control at Virgin Galactic, and led geospatial product development at SkyFi, creating easy-to-use tools from complex data and imagery. Now, the Florida Polytechnic University alumna has embarked on a new adventure. Barnwell

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Florida Poly president skips inauguration to fund student scholarships

December 16, 2024

In a bold move prioritizing students, Dr. Devin Stephenson, Florida Polytechnic University’s new president, has opted to forgo his inauguration ceremony and reallocated the event’s over $100,000 budget toward student scholarships. The ceremony was scheduled for January 2025. Stephenson began his tenure as Florida Poly’s new president in July, driven by a firm determination to promote and advance student success.

Fulbright research partnership developing sensors to improve Parkinson’s patient care

December 13, 2024

Advanced research at Florida Polytechnic University, in collaboration with the University of Windsor in Canada, is centered on the development of wearable sensors to assist in care for those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Patients with Parkinson’s disease often contend with progressive stiffness, tremors and balance problems that can make movements such as walking, standing and even eating a challenge. Dr.

New course empowers students to master financial trading

December 6, 2024

With $100,000 in virtual funds to invest, teams of Florida Polytechnic University students are taking a hands-on approach to learning financial markets this semester. A new investments, financial modeling and analytics course at the University incorporates TD Bank’s Virtual Stock Market Simulation Game, challenging students to strategize the best ways to grow their portfolios and build a heftier balance than

World-class innovators: Florida Poly professors among top 2% scientists globally

December 4, 2024

LAKELAND, Fla. – Building on their continued global recognition, three Florida Polytechnic University professors have once again been named to an elite list of the top 2% of scientists in the world, highlighting their significant work in nanotechnology, critical rare earth element recovery, and electronics and electrical engineering. The annual list compiled by Stanford University ranks researchers based on the

Florida Poly president receives national award for lifetime leadership in higher ed

November 25, 2024

Dr. Devin Stephenson, Florida Polytechnic University president, has been awarded the Lifetime Leadership Award by Higher Education Innovation (HEI), a national entity dedicated to advancing innovation and success in higher education. The annual award recognizes an individual with over 25 years of exemplary service in higher education leadership and highlights their significant contributions to the field and to society. “It’s

Florida Poly students hop on thrilling ride with new themed entertainment club

November 22, 2024

Behind the thrilling roller coasters, immersive exhibits and bustling venues that drive Florida’s $120 billion tourism industry lies a powerful network of STEM professionals working hard to engineer, analyze and develop the experiences that attract millions of visitors to the state each year. At Florida Polytechnic University, the future computer scientists, data analysts and engineers who aspire to fill these

Inaugural Presidential Speaker Series explores living on other worlds

November 19, 2024

Experts on the atmospheres and climates of other planets and ways to modify them for the possibility of human habitation gathered at Florida Polytechnic University on Monday, Nov. 18, to participate in a panel discussion on the topic at the institution’s inaugural Presidential Speaker Series event. “This series is all about bringing together thought leaders and innovators who are shaping

Professor’s innovative research paves way for safer, smoother I-4 commute

November 18, 2024

Florida’s Interstate-4 corridor from Tampa to Orlando is notorious for high accidents rates, ranking among the most dangerous highways in the nation. In response, Dr. Rawa Adla, assistant professor of computer engineering at Florida Polytechnic University, is leading innovative research to make I-4 safer for drivers. Through two grants totaling $252,000 from the Florida Department of Transportation as part of

Duke Energy and Florida Poly: Powering the future of STEM innovation

November 14, 2024

A strategic collaboration between energy giant Duke Energy and Florida Polytechnic University is fueling innovation and powering the future of STEM talent. The seven-year relationship has flourished, providing essential support for the University and access to a pipeline of top engineering talent to Duke Energy. Duke Energy and the Duke Energy Foundation have invested over $350,000 into Florida Poly’s programs

Florida Poly students explore innovations at SunTrax testing facility

November 12, 2024

Florida Polytechnic University students had an exciting look at the future of transportation technology this week during a visit to SunTrax, the autonomous vehicle (AV) testing and development facility in Auburndale, Florida. As they toured the cutting-edge facility, the first of its kind in the country, students experienced firsthand how this rapidly evolving technology is rigorously tested and refined in

Florida Poly Rotaract Club steps up to help hurricane recovery efforts

November 8, 2024

When Hurricanes Helene and Milton battered Central Florida and beyond within just two weeks this fall, the Rotaract Club at Florida Polytechnic University sprang into action. With a motto of “Service above self,” the student leadership and community service organization quickly voted to contribute $500 toward hurricane relief efforts. And when they heard that the residents of a nearby senior

New aeronautics-focused club takes flight at Florida Poly

November 6, 2024

A love of aircraft and aerospace is bringing together Florida Polytechnic University students who want to put their engineering know-how to the test while building and flying faster, more aerodynamic model airplanes and helicopters. Flight Club is a new student organization that launched at the beginning of the fall semester, quickly gaining popularity. “I’ve always had an interest in aerospace