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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.

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.

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Citrus County Student Creates Fishing App at Florida Polytechnic University

December 5, 2015

Florida Poly student Geoffrey Ruiz, from Lecanto, and his team members created and presented a fishing app, called Identafish, at the University’s STEM Student’s BIO Expo earlier in November. The app is designed to identify and provide information on any fish caught in the Gulf of Mexico. Through this project, Florida Poly students were encouraged to create a concept that

Florida Polytechnic Universitys IST Building Wins National Steel Building Award

December 4, 2015

(Chicago, IL) – The Innovation, Science and Technology Building (IST) at Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland, Fla., has earned national recognition in the 2015 Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel awards program (IDEAS2). In honor of this achievement, members of the project team will be presented with awards from the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) during

Florida Polytechnic University Board Votes to Name Campus after Senator JD Alexander

December 2, 2015

The Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees voted today to name the university’s campus the John David “JD” Alexander Campus after Senator JD Alexander, Florida Poly’s founder. The naming is also subject to the approval of the Florida Polytechnic University Foundation Board, as required under the university’s policy of Naming of Buildings and Facilities. “Senator Alexander recognized the need for

Florida Polytechnic University Foundation Invites Donors to #BePIVOTAL on #GivingTuesday

November 23, 2015

The Florida Polytechnic University Foundation is raising money to support student scholarships and the university’s innovative mission during #GivingTuesday on December 1. #GivingTuesday is a global movement dedicated to charitable giving during the holiday season. It’s held on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Funds raised by the Florida Polytechnic University Foundation during #GivingTuesday will help to

Florida Polytechnic University Launches STEMStudy.com and the STEM Study App

November 20, 2015

High school students starting their college journeys face a long list of important tasks like preparing for and taking SAT and ACT exams, completing college applications, applying for financial aid and scholarships and selecting the right major. For students interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) degrees, there’s a new website – STEMStudy.com – designed to help them (and their parents)

Technology Inspired by Nature

November 20, 2015

Dr. Melba Horton’s three biology classes (BSC1010) shared their group projects in the IST Commons November 18 and 19 in the first BIO (Biology Integrated Outlook) Expo. Groups of between two to four students presented 30 posters that summarized their class projects on innovative concepts inspired by biology. The goal was for Dr. Horton’s students to apply biology to their

Top 5 Moments from the Fourth Installment of #STEMTalks a Google+ Hangout

November 19, 2015

Florida Polytechnic University hosted #STEMTalks, a Google+ Hangout on November 12, 2015 titled, “Ask Me Anything: Chief Innovation Officer.” The Hangout featured Jim Stikeleather, Chief Innovation Officer of Dell who discussed topics relating to future trends in STEM and emerging technology in computer engineering and IT. Two Florida Poly students, J. Collin Hoedtke and Kylee White asked Mr. Stikeleather questions

5 Things You Should Know about Dells Chief Innovation Officer Jim Stikeleather

November 4, 2015

Florida Polytechnic University is hosting #STEMTalks, a Google+ Hangout, at 7 p.m. on November 12, 2015 titled, “Ask Me Anything: Chief Innovation Officer.” The Hangout features Jim Stikeleather, Chief Innovation Officer of Dell who will discuss topics relating to future trends in STEM and emerging technology in computer engineering and IT. Here are the top five things you should know

Recap of Third Installment of #STEMTalks a Google+ Hangout

October 28, 2015

On Thursday, October 22nd, Florida Polytechnic University hosted the third Google+ Hangout, #STEMTalks. This Google+ Hangout was the third installment of a four part series that featured a panel of technology leaders who discussed the impact of big data, super computers and all things technology. Crystal Lauderdale, the Director of Marketing and Communications at Florida Poly moderated the panel of

Florida Polytechnic University to Hire 70 Full Time Faculty

October 20, 2015

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University is hiring. The school is actively recruiting new faculty to meet the demands of an increasing student population. As a brand-new institution, having just entered its second academic year, Florida Poly offers faculty the unique opportunity to build a university from scratch and to work in a startup, academic and research environment all in one.

Florida Polytechnic University Foundation Raises More Than $2 Million for Scholarships and University Initiatives

October 9, 2015

The Florida Polytechnic University Foundation announced it has raised more than $2 million so far this year to support student scholarships and the University’s innovative mission. Funds were raised in part through the (BePivotal)2 challenge, a $1 million matching contribution the Foundation announced in July. Sponsorships and guest reservations to the Foundation’s annual PIVOT gala also contributed to jumpstart the organization’s

Florida Polytechnic University Installs First President Dr. Randy K. Avent

October 8, 2015

Florida Polytechnic University installed its first president, Dr. Randy K. Avent, at an inauguration ceremony Thursday morning on campus. The event honored Avent, and celebrated the university’s inaugural year achievements, including the opening of the iconic Innovation, Science and Technology (IST) Building; the arrival of Florida Poly’s first and second classes; and the creation of more than 90 industry partnerships.