Florida Polytechnic University has named Jack Paris as the first head coach of its women’s soccer program as the University continues building its new athletics department.
Florida Polytechnic University marked a significant milestone on Saturday, May 9, celebrating its largest graduating class to date as more than 430 students crossed the stage at the University’s 2026 commencement.
Andrew McDonnell ’26 never stopped dreaming about the stars. As a child, he looked up at the sky, wondering what was out there, and that curiosity followed him to Florida Poly, where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, took aerospace courses, and worked on a lunar mobility senior capstone project. He graduates on May 9.
Florida Polytechnic University has reached on-campus housing capacity for the upcoming academic year, reflecting continued strong demand and record student interest.
Florida Polytechnic University inducted 12 students into its highly selective Presidential Ambassadors program, where they will serve as official student representatives at key University events and engage with campus and community leaders.
Samantha Bentley ’26 didn’t always feel ready to step into leadership or research roles during her time as a computer science student at Florida Polytechnic University, but discovered she grew the most by doing it anyway. She will receive her bachelor’s degree on Saturday, May 9.
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
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
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
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
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,
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
