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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

New podcast spotlights Florida Poly alumni lessons and achievements

November 4, 2025

Graduation marks a major milestone in a student’s life, but learning doesn’t stop there. A new podcast showcases how Florida Polytechnic University alumni continue to grow, adapt and lead in their fields. Now working in high-tech careers across industries, Florida Poly alumni are sharing their personal journeys, insights and lessons they’ve learned on the “The Legacy Podcast,” presented by the

Florida Poly president expands global reach on Florida trade mission to Asia

October 30, 2025

Florida Poly President Devin Stephenson joined the state’s Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly and Secretary of State Cord Byrd on a two-week international trade and business development leadership mission to Taiwan and Japan, advancing Florida’s global economic trade strategy. The mission included Florida business, tech, space and academic fields and took place from Oct. 19-29. It was organized by

Florida Poly ranks in nation’s Top 20 for best return on investment

October 28, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University has been ranked among the Top 20 universities in the nation for return on investment (ROI), outperforming some of the country’s most prestigious institutions, according to a new analysis by EDsmart, a publisher of data-driven college ratings. The ranking evaluated 1,755 four-year colleges nationwide and found that Florida Poly offers one of the highest value degrees for

Congressman Franklin hosts cybersecurity face-off at Florida Poly

October 22, 2025

About 200 middle and high school students from Florida’s 18th Congressional District vied for bragging rights as the region’s best cybersecurity team during Congressman Scott Franklin’s third annual Capture the Flag Competition, held at Florida Polytechnic University on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

President Stephenson named to Florida 500 list for second consecutive year

October 21, 2025

Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of Florida Polytechnic University, has once again been recognized among Florida’s 500 most influential business leaders by Florida Trend magazine. This marks the second consecutive year that Stephenson has earned a place on the prestigious Florida 500 list.

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Underrepresented high school students to get real Florida Polytechnic University experience at 1st Summer STEAM Boot Camp

May 31, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. – For the first time, dozens of Polk County high school students will be staying in the residence halls at Florida Polytechnic University and learning from its faculty while attending the Summer STEAM Boot Camp, designed for first-generation college and underrepresented minorities. About 30 students will participate in the intense, week-long camp organized by Florida Poly in partnership

Esteban Segarra awarded prestigious fellowship

May 25, 2018

Florida Polytechnic University senior Esteban Segarra is headed to Gaithersburg, Maryland, this summer where he’ll spend 11 weeks at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) working to improve the way robots interact with humans. Segarra, who is a computer engineering major from Davenport, Florida, is one of less than 200 students across the nation to receive a 2018

Florida Polytechnic University’s bookless library attracts international interest

May 17, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University’s bookless library was at the center of an international discussion in Mexico focused on the creation and development of university libraries around the world. Dr. Kathryn Miller, vice provost of academic support services at Florida Poly, was a guest speaker at the first International Colloquium on Library Architecture and Environments, hosted by the National

Undergraduate research opens doors to prestigious opportunity

May 9, 2018

Valinteshley Pierre knows how important undergraduate research is. Since coming to Florida Polytechnic University in 2015, he has taken advantage of every opportunity available to collaborate with professors on research projects. Now a senior, all of that experience in the lab is paying off. Pierre is headed to the Johns Hopkins University Institute for Basic Biomedical Sciences this summer, where

Peter Moran: A dream realized

May 3, 2018

Take Your Child to Work Day can be an exciting and eye-opening experience for any kid. For Florida Polytechnic University senior Peter Moran, it was also the day he discovered what he wanted to be when he grew up. After spending a day with his father learning about container shipping for the marine industry, Moran set his sights toward a

Lindsey Schwemmin: Chasing unexpected dreams

May 2, 2018

Lindsey Schwemmin never planned to bring 200 of her Florida Polytechnic University classmates together in a weeklong tag battle between the living and the dead, but as a member of the inaugural graduating class at Florida Poly, she learned that sometimes the best moments are unexpected. It was the game of Humans vs. Zombies, a highly imaginative version of tag

Robotics team impresses judges at international VEX competition

May 2, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic’s robotics team, Purple Fire, impressed the judges during their recent debut at the prestigious VEX Robotics World Championship, held April 25-28 in Louisville, Kentucky. The team of eight students received the Judges Award, which is presented to the team that the judges decide is deserving of special recognition. The judges consider a number of criteria

Florida Polytechnic University to graduate its 1st four-year class

May 2, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. – More than 200 Florida Polytechnic University undergraduate and graduate students will be receiving degrees, as Florida’s newest public university graduates its inaugural class. Florida Poly’s Spring 2018 Commencement will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 4 at the RP Funding Center (Youkey Theater), located at 701 W Lime St., Lakeland. Established in 2012 as an

Laura Wemple: Going back to get ahead

May 1, 2018

Laura Wemple came to Florida Polytechnic University as a non-traditional student. She already had two associate degrees – one in business and the other in chemical engineering and biology. After working for a few years, Wemple, 35, says she realized that a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) degree would go a long way. Once she knew about the STEM-focused

Andre Goode: The magic of a STEM education

April 26, 2018

Earning a Florida Polytechnic University degree in computer science and information technology has added some magic to senior Andre Goode’s life. Disney magic, that is. On May 4, Goode is graduating from Florida Poly cum laude, as part of the university’s first four-year class. After graduation, the Weston, Florida native will begin working in a full-time position with The Walt

2018-19 Presidential Ambassadors announced

April 25, 2018

One of the most distinguished student programs at Florida Poly welcomed 10 new members, Monday, April 23, at its annual induction ceremony held in the Innovation, Science and Technology Building’s Aula Magna auditorium. The Presidential Ambassadors are made up of 16 students who are selected based on their academic standing, leadership, skills, citizenship and service citations. “You get a lot

VEX robotics team to compete at world championship

April 23, 2018

Florida Polytechnic University has qualified for the first time to compete at the prestigious VEX Robotics World Championship, which is being held April 25-28 in Louisville, Kentucky. A total of 87 robotics teams from all over the world will compete at the college level. Florida Poly’s Purple Fire robotics team is one of only two Florida teams that qualified. The

Underrepresented high school students to get real Florida Polytechnic University experience at 1st Summer STEAM Boot Camp

May 31, 2018