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A group of students in front of the IST on the first day of the 2026-27 academic year, which saw record enrollment.

Record enrollment propels Florida Poly into new era of growth

August 17, 2026

Florida Polytechnic University soared into the 2026-27 academic year on Monday, Aug. 17, welcoming a record enrollment of 2,342 students. The milestone represents a remarkable 35% increase in total student enrollment over the last two years, up from over 1,900 students in 2025 and more than 1,700 in 2024, further solidifying Florida Poly’s reputation as a premier destination for high-demand STEM education.

Naibys Alzugaray, a rising senior majoring in computer science at Florida Polytechnic University, during her internship at EA in Orlando.

Florida Poly senior turns EA Madden 27 internship into software engineering career

August 14, 2026

For Naibys Alzugaray, landing an internship at Electronic Arts (EA) in Orlando, Florida, was the realization of a dream that started in high school. But by the end of the summer, that dream became a permanent reality. On the final day of her internship on Aug. 7, the Florida Polytechnic University rising senior received a full-time software engineer job offer to return to EA after graduation to join the company’s Software Engineer Academy crew.

Florida Polytechnic University Men’s Soccer player Fernando Martinez during the University’s first media day.

Florida Poly’s student-athletes take center stage at inaugural media day

August 11, 2026

With the fall 2026 semester just days away, Florida Polytechnic University’s first student-athletes donned their new uniforms, laced up their cleats and stepped into the spotlight Monday, Aug. 10, for the University’s inaugural media day for the men’s and women’s soccer and cross country teams as they prepare for their first season of competition.

The Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE) and representatives from Florida Polytechnic University gather during CPHE’s inaugural site visit at the institution on Aug. 5-6.

Commission for Public Higher Education completes first accreditation site visit at Florida Polytechnic University

August 10, 2026

The Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE), a nascent institutional accreditor, today announced the successful completion of its inaugural site visit at Florida Polytechnic University on Aug. 5-6, marking a historic milestone for both organizations. The visit was the first conducted by CPHE, making Florida Poly the first institution to advance through this critical phase of the Commission’s accreditation process.

Florida Polytechnic University employees watch the live broadcast of a NASA diver performing an underwater test of the University’s student-designed tool dock as part of NASA’s Micro-g NExT Challenge.

NASA tests Florida Poly student-designed tool to improve spacewalks

August 7, 2026

When astronauts venture outside the International Space Station to perform critical maintenance, it is essential for them to access and store their tools quickly and conveniently. Every tool must remain securely attached to their spacesuit while still being readily available when needed. A team of Florida Polytechnic University mechanical engineering students spent 10 months developing a one-handed wearable tool dock designed to make that process easier, faster and more efficient. NASA put the team’s tool to the test at Johnson Space Center in Houston.

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REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE THAT MATTERS

February 1, 2018

Students at Florida Poly earn more than a degree. They gain hands-on training for jobs that impact your daily life. Like the lights in your house, for instance. Maya Wilson knows firsthand what it takes to keep the people of Tampa Bay supplied with power. She doesn’t drive a truck or climb poles, but her behind-the-scenes job at Tampa Electric

Florida Polytechnic University at Center of Self-Driving Vehicle Hearing in Washington D.C.

January 24, 2018

The president of Florida Polytechnic University, Dr. Randy K. Avent, was invited to testify at the Senate hearing on autonomous vehicles hosted by the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. The hearing entitled “Driving Automotive Innovation and Federal Policies” will be held on Wednesday Jan. 24, starting at 10 a.m. in Washington D.C. Watch real-time starting at 10 a.m. The

Florida Polytechnic University President joins effort to promote high-tech industries in Central Florida

January 17, 2018

Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University, will play a meaningful role in advancing high-tech economic growth in our region as the new member of The Florida High Tech Corridor Council. The Corridor is an economic initiative that stretches across 23 counties, with the purpose of developing a stronger high-tech industry through partnerships that support research, marketing, entrepreneurship

Florida Polytechnic University Chief of Police Selected to Lead Polk County Police Chiefs Association

January 4, 2018

Florida Polytechnic University Police Chief Richard A. Holland has been selected to head the Polk County Police Chiefs Association. He served as the vice president in 2017. Holland was sworn in during the 36th Polk County Police Chief’s Association Annual Installation of Officers Thursday, January 4th at 6:30 p.m. at the Florida Polytechnic University campus located at 4700 Research Way in

Ant Inspiration Nets $20K NASA Grant

December 12, 2017

A tiny ant was the inspiration behind an idea that landed a Florida Polytechnic University Junior a $20,000 grant from NASA. The grant from the Florida Space Research Program provides Esteban Segarra and faculty advisor Dr. Bradford Towle the resources to explore autonomous capabilities for robots exploring the surface of Mars. Esteban hit upon the idea after watching the orderly

Conservation Expert Shares Path to Career Success

November 29, 2017

Pursuing your passion Converting your passion into a career was the topic Wednesday of a presentation by conservation specialist Dr. Tracy Fanara. Students heard over an hour Dr. Fanara’s career path as a civil engineer, from her dissertation research into protecting the Florida aquifer through intelligent landscaping, to an appearance on the Science Channel’s “Mythbusters: The Search.” Today, Dr. Fanara

Students Finish Second In City Planning Competition

November 27, 2017

A student-developed plan that models the city of Jacksonville’s vision for an autonomous public transportation system earned a second-place finish recently for Florida Polytechnic University. The design was one of six presented Nov. 9 at the Urban International Design Contest in Las Vegas. Teams from universities around the globe entered their vision for how new modes of sustainable public transportation can be

From Tech Solution to Thriving Business. Students Given the Tools to Entrepreneurial Success.

November 21, 2017

It’s easy to dream big. Creating a real, marketable product from that idea is a different story. “It’s important to understand your personal goal. What do you want to create in the world?” explains Justin Heacock, Entrepreneurship Center Coordinator at Florida Polytechnic University. Giving students the tools and coaching they need to bring their ideas to market is central to

Student Presents Biometric Password to NSA

November 7, 2017

Trying to keep track of a dozen passwords is an accepted part of today’s modern society. But what if your password was literally unforgettable? Florida Polytechnic University Sophomore Austin Lubetkin has a working prototype of a program that relies on eye movements while reading to secure your assets, not letters or characters. His research paper drew great interest when he

Lakeland Nonprofit Gets Tech Boost From Students

November 7, 2017

More than 1,100 elementary school students at risk of going hungry are guaranteed a meal every week thanks to the work of a small Lakeland nonprofit called KidsPack. KidsPack distributes food donations to students across three counties and the logics can be daunting — and expensive. That’s why four Florida Polytechnic University students are volunteering their time to update KidsPack’s

IEEE Selects Florida Polytechnic University Professor for Keynote Address

October 12, 2017

Florida Polytechnic University Professor of Data Analytics Dr. Robert Steele delivered a keynote speech at the 8th Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Annual Ubiquitous Computing, Electronics and Mobile Communication Conference (IEEE UEMCON 2017), on October 21 at Columbia University in New York. Fellow keynote speakers included other distinguished experts in analytics and computational systems from organizations including Columbia University,

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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.