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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.

Florida Poly and Sittadel to launch student-driven cybersecurity center

October 20, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University and tech company Sittadel are teaming up to boost the region’s cybersecurity workforce and advance experiential learning and innovation through the development of a new student-powered Security Operations Center.

Experts at Florida Poly panel discuss the future of nuclear fusion

October 15, 2025

The quest for fusion as a source of abundant, clean energy has inspired scientists and innovators for decades. With climate change a global concern, the urgency and uncertainty surrounding nuclear fusion’s role in powering the planet are more relevant than ever. A panel of experts explored this topic at Florida Polytechnic University on Monday, Oct. 13, as part of its

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Florida Polytechnic University students making Winter Haven a smart city

April 17, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. – A group of Florida Polytechnic University students have taken on the mission of making the City of Winter Haven a “smart community” to better prepare it for the challenges of the future. The Winter Haven Economic Development Council (WHEDC) partnered with the City of Winter Haven and Florida Polytechnic University to take the first steps into making

Florida Polytechnic University students take 3rd place in statewide Shark Tank style competition

April 17, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. – A team of students from Florida Polytechnic University impressed the judges at the 2018 Governor’s Cup and won third place and $1,000 with their innovative scanning device. The “Shark Tank” style competition featured teams from nine state universities. Andre Ripley, a junior computer engineering major from the U.S. Virgin Islands, John Sarnecky, a junior mechanical engineering major

Hundreds of girls to immerse in STEM at Florida Polytechnic University

April 12, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. – More than 300 Girl Scouts, and girls in general, will conquer the hallways and labs of Florida Polytechnic University on Saturday, April 14, for an exciting, hands-on event focused on science, technology, engineering and math. Florida Poly, the only public university in the state dedicated exclusively to STEM, will host STEMapalooza for the first time. The event

Florida Polytechnic University to launch its first rocket

April 11, 2018

For the first time, a group of Florida Polytechnic University students will launch a rocket as part of a statewide competition sponsored by NASA’s Florida Space Grant Consortium (FSGC). The launch date is scheduled for Saturday, April 14, in Bunnell, Florida. The team of six students, called the Phoenix Flyers, has been preparing intensively for this hybrid motor high powered

Marshall Bassford: A twist of fate

April 11, 2018

The day a Florida Polytechnic University admissions counselor visited Marshall Bassford’s high school changed the course of his entire future. A brilliant student, Bassford completed an associate’s degree in creative writing while still in high school and planned to continue as a writer once in college. But his plans changed when he learned about the new university dedicated to science,

Danya Rubio: Local student has a big career ahead of her working with little things

April 5, 2018

Florida Polytechnic University senior Danya Rubio has certainly made the most of the past four years. After she graduates on May 4, the Auburndale, Florida, native won’t have far to go to start her life as a professional working in the high-tech world. Rubio will begin her career as an engineer with Sofidel, the nation’s second largest tissue paper distributor

Florida Polytechnic University seeks joint opportunities in Brazil

April 2, 2018

A Florida Polytechnic University delegation is in Brazil this week looking to build strategic alliances with universities and high-tech companies in South America’s largest country. The contingent includes Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Poly, Shahram Taj, professor of logistics and supply chain management, Dr. Mustafa Ilhan Akbas, professor of computer science, and Mustapha Achoubane, associate director of international

Polk County lakes researched as source of biofuel

March 30, 2018

Students at Florida Polytechnic University are looking into ways of creating a source of biofuel by using algae known as diatoms, which are found in Polk County lakes. The search for viable alternatives to fossil fuels is a hot topic worldwide with biofuel being one possible solution. This study, headed by professor of biology Dr. Melba Horton, seeks to determine

Florida Polytechnic University’s high-tech garden seizing the future of agriculture

March 28, 2018

A group of students at Florida Polytechnic University has figured out a way to use a garden to research solutions to feeding our planet’s future population and help provide fresh food to Polk County families in need. The TRAC (Technology, Research, Agriculture and Community) group has spent the past two years building a garden on the university’s campus, aimed at

Florida Polytechnic University students spend spring break interning at Kissimmee company

March 27, 2018

Several Florida Polytechnic University students had the opportunity to take part in an intensive five-day internship during spring break aimed at providing critical hands-on research and application experience. The internship was offered by BRIDG, a nonprofit, industry-led public-private partnership for advanced sensors, semiconductors, photonics and other advanced nanoscale systems, located at the NeoCity technology district in Kissimmee, Florida. “It was

Calvin Ingram: Unafraid of the unknown

March 21, 2018

A new beginning can bring about a range of emotions-happiness, anticipation, confidence, optimism, curiosity. For Calvin Ingram, a mechanical engineering senior at Florida Polytechnic University, the idea of beginning his college experience as part of the university’s inaugural graduating class was one emotion only: excitement. “I loved that I would have the chance to help grow the school. I couldn’t

Cybersecurity takes innovative turn at Florida Polytechnic University

March 21, 2018

Students at Florida Polytechnic University are going beyond theory and enjoying an innovative, hands-on way of learning how to fight cybercrime. The United States is projected to lose $2 trillion to cyber attacks by 2019. And the shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals is only growing worse, with 1.8 million jobs going unfilled by 2022, according to a report from TechRepublic.