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From NASA to startup: Alumna launches AI platform to bridge tech and policy

September 5, 2025

Payton Barnwell ’19 has dedicated her successful high-tech career to creating meaningful impact through innovation. She helped optimize space station crops as a NASA intern, worked in mission control at Virgin Galactic, and led geospatial product development at SkyFi, creating easy-to-use tools from complex data and imagery. Now, the Florida Polytechnic University alumna has embarked on a new adventure. Barnwell

NSF-funded study uses brain data to rethink engineering education

September 3, 2025

Fueled by a new National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, innovative research at Florida Polytechnic University aims to redefine the way professors approach engineering design education. Dr. Elisabeth Kames, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, received a $200,000 grant to study how students cognitively engage with engineering design challenges. The research will employ neurocognitive tools such as electroencephalography (EEG), as well as

Florida Poly student research uncovers laser light from peacock feathers

August 27, 2025

Undergraduate discovery sparks nationwide scientific attention Florida Polytechnic University senior Anthony Fiorito has captured national attention in the scientific community with groundbreaking research revealing that peacock feathers can emit precise laser light. Fiorito, an engineering physics major, is the first author of a study that has been spotlighted by leading publications including Science, Ars Technica, Interesting Engineering and MSN. The

New SGA president focuses on student voices, organizational strength

August 22, 2025

Connection, communication and advocacy are Colby Manrodt’s top goals as the new president of Florida Polytechnic University’s Student Government Association. “I think our University is in a period of transitioning and going through a lot of change, so we are going to focus this year on bringing better forms of communication to our student body,” said Manrodt, a senior majoring

Florida Poly’s enrollment hits record high, momentum soars

August 18, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University welcomed the new academic year on Monday, Aug. 18 with a record-breaking total enrollment of more than 1,900 students, marking a more than 10% increase over last year’s historic enrollment and the second consecutive year of growth. “This remarkable enrollment underscores the growing recognition of Florida Poly’s value in preparing students for high-demand STEM careers,” said Dr.

Florida Poly reaches new heights with record Fulbright participation

August 13, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University is welcoming the largest cohort of distinguished Fulbright awardees in its history, with international scholars and students set to pursue advanced research and graduate studies during the 2025-26 academic year. The group of 21 graduate students and scholars participating in the prestigious U.S. State Department program reflects the University’s solid commitment to fostering global collaborations and advancing

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Founding SGA Signs Student Constitution

February 23, 2015

Complete with an Executive branch, 12 Senators and a Constitution – it’s official! In February, students elected the Legislative and Judicial branches, after electing executive leadership in the fall term. With the signing of the Constitution, the Florida Poly SGA is now formally operated by the students and for the students, a highly visible testament to democracy at the college

History of Communication Technology

February 23, 2015

The history of communication technology has had a profound impact on our world. In the modern economy, it’s no surprise that the telecommunications industry is responsible for $1.88 trillion dollars in worldwide GDP1. The three largest? They are worth a whopping $701.31 billion dollars. The explosive advancements in technology over the last 100 years of the history of communications technology

Florida Polytechnic University Team Takes Third Place at UHack 2015

February 22, 2015

What if there were an app that actually distracted people from their mobile devices for some lively conversation? That is the mission of the aptly named Icebreaker, a mobile application developed by three Florida Poly students that took the third-place prize in the recent UHack 2015 competition at the University of Miami. Graduate student Jacob Chen and undergrads James Amodie

Robotic & Machine Intelligence (Virtual) Roundtable: #BOTTalks at Florida Polytechnic University

February 18, 2015

Florida Polytechnic University will host the first of three virtual events via Google+ Hangouts on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 8 p.m. This series is set to discuss advancements in technology and engineering, specifically robotics and machine intelligence. Our first event, #BOTTalks, features a panel of industry leaders and experts from Florida Poly. #BOTTalks will focus on the future of robotics

Supply Chain Management Careers

February 15, 2015

Have you ever thought about starting a career in supply chain management? Professionals educated and trained in supply chain management careers or with supply chain management degrees are in high demand in the global marketplace. Just take a look at the numbers: According to a study by the Supply Chain Sector Council, “From 2012 – 2017, it is estimated that

The Mosaic Caf Opens at Florida Polytechnic University Thanks to Generosity of The Mosaic Company

February 13, 2015

LAKELAND, Fla. – The Mosaic Café officially opened at Florida Polytechnic University on Friday thanks to a naming gift from The Mosaic Company. The newly named Mosaic Café is a grab-and-go coffee and snack bar inside the University’s iconic Innovation, Science and Technology Building. The Mosaic Company gift supports student scholarships and the University’s educational mission. “Our students, faculty and

Florida Polytechnic University President to Speak at 2015 Emerging Issues Forum

February 9, 2015

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University President Dr. Randy K. Avent will participate in a panel discussion on New Delivery Models for Higher Education at the 30th annual Emerging Issues Forum, Innovation Reconstructed, on February 10, 2015 at the Raleigh Convention Center. The Forum is North Carolina’s signature public policy gathering hosted by the Institute of Emerging Issues (IEI), a think-and-do tank at North

Logistics Careers: How to start a career in logistics?

February 3, 2015

Have you ever thought about the logistics behind how a product gets into the hands of a consumer? This extensive process involves the implementation of effective movement and storage of information, goods and services to ensure expenses are reduced and customer service is enhanced. This process is known as logistics management, and it is a part of supply chain management

Florida Polytechnic University’s New Submarine Club Makes a Splash

January 29, 2015

Florida Poly prides itself on an entrepreneurial culture where students can create clubs and programs that reflect the can-do learning environment that extends beyond the classroom. The newly formed Submarine Club is a shining example of that. Organized by freshman Ethan Puerto, the club’s vision is to design and build a human-powered wet submarine that will be entered into international

Florida Polytechnic University Launches Initiative to Create Floridas #NextGreatMascot

January 27, 2015

LAKELAND, Fla. – Students at Florida Polytechnic University will decide the school’s official mascot. The state’s newest public institution has launched an initiative to create Florida’s #NextGreatMascot. The process includes hands-on learning opportunities with design experts, a student-centered competition to develop potential mascot concepts and a student-only voting process. The initiative launched on Tuesday, January 27, with an open application

Career in Engineering: Initiatives Making our World a Better Place

January 21, 2015

A career in engineering enables change. Engineers are the world’s problem solvers. Students who choose a degree in engineering and pursue engineering science jobs will be prepared for a career path that provides them the opportunity to help solve a variety of different social and economic issues across the world. I recently spoke with Dr. Ryan Integlia, our Assistant Professor, of Colleges

Whats New On Campus: Student Organizations

January 21, 2015

Getting involved on campus is one of the best ways to make friends and find a niche in your college community. There are plenty of good colleges in Florida. We’re going to take time to tell you about Florida’s newest public university, Florida Polytechnic University, and how you can get involved. Governing Poly Bodies Adding to the list of