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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

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

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

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.

Florida Polytechnic University senior Avery Reef at his internship location, Watts Water Technologies.

Student internship brings product development ideas to life

Avery Reef, a mechanical engineering student at Florida Polytechnic University, is getting a front-row seat to how products progress from a simple idea to the factory floor. The hands-on experience is helping shape his future engineering career. Reef is an intern with Watts Water Technologies, a global leader in water system solutions.

Polk State College President Anastasios Kamoutsas and Florida Polytechnic University President Devin Stephenson sign an expanded transfer agreement July 30 at Florida Poly’s Barnett Applied Research Center, joined by legislators, trustees, industry representatives and students.

Polk State and Florida Poly partner to build regional STEM pipeline

Polk State College and Florida Polytechnic University have entered into an articulation agreement, establishing the Eagle to Phoenix Pathway program for students. Polk State President Anastasios Kamoutsas and Florida Poly President Devin Stephenson signed the agreement on Thursday, July 30, strengthening the partnership between the institutions and expanding opportunities for students.

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Improving Life: The Next to Change Healthcare

A new app in development at Florida Polytechnic University could be a game changer for people with diabetes. The app serves as a personal assistant of sorts for diabetics by reminding them to check their blood glucose levels, providing them personalized reports to chart their habits and, perhaps most importantly, a social environment for emotional support. It’s especially beneficial for

Virtually There: The Next to Pioneer a New Reality

Alec Maier is a pioneer in the truest sense of the word. The Florida Polytechnic University freshman stands among the growing group of game developers testing the limits of virtual reality. He’s already developed a bestselling game in Holopoint, an immersive archery battle that keeps players on their toes as they try to repel waves of ninjas. But that’s just

Student Lands $12K Grant To Study Space Radiation

It could be decades before humans make it to the rocky surface of Mars, but Florida Polytechnic University sophomore Payton Barnwell is already working to get them there safely. Having landed a $12,000 grant through the Florida Space Research Program, Barnwell will lead a project this spring testing how to possibly protect plants, technology and explorers from radiation. Prolonged exposure

Recap: Top 5 Moments from the Internet of Things #STEMTalks Event

Florida Polytechnic University hosted its second #STEMTalks virtual event of the 2016-17 academic year on November 17 titled, “The Internet of Things: A Future of Constant Connection.” This #STEMTalks event featured a virtual panel of experts involved with IoT, from the creation and development of devices to the adaptation of these devices into everyday life. John Walicki, a Watson IoT

Construction of New Phoenix-shaped Wellness Center Begins at Florida Polytechnic University

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University officially broke ground Wednesday on a new and vastly expanded, state-of-the-art wellness center on its campus in Lakeland. The need for the new wellness center became clear during this past year as attendance and usage of the University’s current wellness center soared more than 400 percent. The new wellness center will include a nearly

Biology and Technology Combine At Expo

Plant cells and moose antlers have more in common with high-tech research than you might think. Students at Florida Polytechnic University have certainly discovered as much. The third annual Biology Integrated Outlook (Bio) Expo at Florida Poly featured many of these unlikely pairings as students in the core Biology classes presented their semester projects to the public. The expo showcases

Florida Polytechnic University Introduces New Autonomous Vehicles Course in Partnership with MIT

LAKELAND, Fla. – The technology behind self-driving cars is coming to life soon at Florida Polytechnic University. A brand new course called “Autonomous Systems and Self-Driving Vehicles” starts in the Spring 2017 semester. Dr. Dean Bushey, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel with more than 10 years of experience developing and advancing autonomous systems, will teach the course. Dr. Bushey will

Printing Success: The Next to Break the Mold

Entrepreneurs will tell you it takes money to make money, especially for a start-up. But what if there was a way to create a nearly self-sustaining business? That’s the vision of Brandon Lemos, a junior studying Computer Science and Information Technology at Florida Polytechnic University. Brandon, of Fort Lauderdale, carries a reputation on campus as the go-to guy for 3D

Florida Polytechnic University Student Work Showcased at Third Annual Biology Expo

WHAT: Florida Polytechnic University students will showcase their work at the third annual Biology Integrated Outlook (BIO) Expo from Wednesday, November 30 to Friday, December 2, 2016 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. The BIO Expo allows students, in Computer Science, Innovation and Technology, and Nanotechnology, to apply biological applications and implications to their program. Student project presentations will range from virtual reality

Cooking Perfection: The Next to Get Creative

You’ve heard of smartphones and smart cars. But how about a smart toaster? A team of Florida Polytechnic University students have developed a prototype toaster that delivers a perfectly toasted piece of bread every time. The project was creative enough to snag third place at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s recent Hackriddle. “It was an exciting end to the weekend,” says student

Top 5 Moments from #STEMTalks on the Health Tech Revolution

Florida Polytechnic University hosted its first virtual #STEMTalks event of the 2016-17 academic year on October 19 titled, “Health Tech Revolution: How Technology is Reinventing Health Care.” This #STEMTalks event featured several prominent members of the health care industry: Dr. Robert Steele, the future Director of the Health Informatics Institute at Florida Polytechnic University; Elizabeth Kerns, Senior Vice President and

Flying High: The Next to Evolve Technology

Research at Florida Poly is probing how to program a group of drones to respond to a single command post. For example, five drones under the direction of one pilot could fly a rigid grid pattern or fly in concentric rings around a target area. The end goal is to mount them with sensitive cameras that carry night vision capabilities

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.