
Florida Poly swimmer makes second straight nationals appearance
Reid Johnson, a senior and mechanical engineering major at Florida Polytechnic University, recently competed at the College Club Swimming Nationals for the second year in a row.

Reid Johnson, a senior and mechanical engineering major at Florida Polytechnic University, recently competed at the College Club Swimming Nationals for the second year in a row.

Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of Florida Polytechnic University, has been named one of Florida’s 50 most influential leaders over the age of 50 by the News Service of Florida.

Becoming a Presidential Ambassador set Jorgeandrés Alvarez-Lopez ’26 on a path leading to a professional internship, his “dream job,” and an opportunity to address his fellow graduates as the Class of 2026 student speaker at Florida Polytechnic University’s commencement ceremony on May 9.

Florida Polytechnic University will welcome renowned astronaut Dr. Koichi Wakata as its 2026 commencement speaker. Wakata made history as the first Japanese commander of the International Space Station (ISS) and the first from his country to spend more than 500 days in space.

At 17, Adrian Hernandez Vega is already making his mark in the world of mathematics. The dual-enrolled Florida Polytechnic University student recently earned top honors at the 71st Florida State Science and Engineering Fair, an accomplishment he said reflects hard work and support from his mentors at Florida Poly. Hernandez Vega won the Best in Fair Grand Award for mathematics

As Florida Polytechnic University prepares to debut its inaugural collegiate athletics program this fall, featuring eight sports, new coaches, and a roster of high-achieving STEM-focused student athletes, Derek Lower has been selected as the University’s first athletic director.

Dr. Chris Kelley, whose work in advancing Parkinson’s disease diagnosis and wearable care technology is garnering national attention, has been selected to join the celebrated ranks of Fulbright Specialists by the U.S. State Department.

The Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees is welcoming two new members whose expertise will further strengthen the institution’s position as a driving force in STEM education. The appointments bring a fresh perspective in entrepreneurship and law, as well as in the tech and defense industries.

Florida Polytechnic University and Applus+ IDIADA, a global leader in automotive design, engineering, testing and homologation services, have established a strategic partnership to expand educational and research opportunities on an international scale.

Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of Florida Polytechnic University, was formally inducted into the esteemed Royal European Academy of Doctors this week, representing a defining achievement in his leadership journey and reinforcing the University’s expanding international presence.

With the average cost of a four-year degree continuing to soar, 81% of American college students now believe tuition is out of control, according to a recent WalletHub survey. The report also reveals growing concerns over student debt, job prospects and the overall return on investment in a college education.

Dr. Brad Thiessen has been named provost and vice president of academic affairs of Florida Polytechnic University, where he will serve as the institution’s chief academic officer, guiding the quality, integrity and advancement of its academic mission.

Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine (OCOM) and Florida Polytechnic University have announced a strategic affiliation aimed at creating a seamless pathway from undergraduate STEM education to professional medical training.

Florida Polytechnic University reached a significant milestone on Sunday, May 4, as it celebrated its largest commencement ceremony to date. More than 330 students earned in-demand degrees at the state’s only all-STEM public university, ready to make important contributions to their industries.

Among the more than 330 Phoenixes who will celebrate their high-demand STEM degrees during Florida Polytechnic University’s commencement on Sunday, May 4, are brothers Dimitri and Taki Tsetsekas, campus leaders and business partners from Palm Harbor, Florida.

The Florida Polytechnic University experience has been transformative for Prisca Chavannes ’25. She arrived as a quiet freshman from Lehigh Acres, Florida, and has grown into a confident and driven campus leader.

Maria Valencia ’25 will be proud to represent her family when she receives her bachelor’s degree in data science from Florida Polytechnic University on Sunday, May 4. She said she is honored to show what she has done with the opportunities her mother worked so hard for.

Florida Polytechnic University graduate student Carson Eelman’s entrepreneurial pitch for a high-tech asthma monitoring device earned him second place at the 2025 Florida Blue Healthcare Pitch Competition on April 25, at the University of South Florida.