Research advancing scientific knowledge and technology has earned five Florida Polytechnic University faculty members a place on Stanford University’s 2026 World’s Top 2% Scientists list.
Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of Florida Polytechnic University, has been named to Florida Trend magazine’s prestigious Florida 500 list for the third straight year, recognizing his leadership and growing influence in advancing STEM education and economic development.
Florida Polytechnic University’s new athletics program has received its first philanthropic gift, a $60,000 contribution from longtime Lakeland residents Bob and Deedra Knight. The milestone donation marks an exciting step forward for Florida Poly Athletics as the University builds its inaugural sports teams and gains support from the local community.
The Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE) announced today that its Board of Directors has voted to grant accreditation to Florida Polytechnic University, marking the Commission’s first accreditation decision since its founding in 2025.
University and international leaders gathered at Florida Polytechnic University on Wednesday, Oct. 21, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the U.S. State Department’s Fulbright Program alongside the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The Florida Polytechnic University Police Department has become the first law enforcement agency in the nation to integrate an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle into its operations. The manned aircraft, dubbed Astro in a double nod to science and the dog from the classic Jetsons cartoon, marks Florida Poly’s entry into the rapidly developing field of advanced air
Tova Jones relies on more than books to gain knowledge. Sure, classroom instruction at Florida Polytechnic University has given this sophomore greater understanding of science and technology. But nothing can replace the real-world experience that comes from internships and networking. Some past events Tova has attended include a weeklong Women’s Business Enterprise National Council conference and Emory University’s INROADS Leadership Summit.
LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University will soon break ground on a new and vastly expanded, state-of-the-art wellness and aquatics center on campus, helping students match the rigors of their classroom academics with the value of health and fitness. The yet-to-be-named facility will be shaped like a phoenix, the Florida Poly mascot, and include a range of facilities for strength,
LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University starts its third academic year on Monday, August 22, welcoming more than 1,300 students – a record high enrollment for Florida’s newest university and more than double the university’s 2014 opening enrollment. The incoming class at Florida Poly has an average GPA of 3.8 and an average SAT score of 1734. Florida Poly has
LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University’s iconic Innovation, Science and Technology (IST) Building in Lakeland now ranks as one of the 16 “most breathtaking” buildings in the world, according to a survey of architects, placing it alongside iconic structures such as the Parthenon in Greece, the Empire State Building and Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Fallingwater” residence. Business Insider’s “Tech Insider” magazine surveyed 16 prominent
Karla Martinez plans to go toe-to-toe with terrorism after college. “I have a strong sense of patriotism, so national defense is big for me,” Karla explains. “I want to pair that with the challenge of cyber security.” Getting that dream job at the Department of Homeland Security isn’t going to happen overnight, but Karla is taking steps to get there.
The role is reserved for senior students, but rising junior Michelle Culbert not only persuaded Lockheed Martin to give her the internship, she also became the first Florida Polytechnic University student to earn a position there. It hasn’t taken long to prove her value. Every month, the Lockheed Martin payroll facility in Lakeland creates metrics reports of vendors and suppliers.
Florida Polytechnic University President Dr. Randy K. Avent is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Terry Parker as Provost for Florida Poly, effective September 1. Parker is a long-time academic leader and engineering researcher who most recently served as Provost and Executive Vice President of the Colorado School of Mines, one of the world’s leading engineering institutions focused on
While studying how materials handle stress, Logan Chambers has proven himself capable of bearing heavy workloads. This summer, the Florida Polytechnic University rising junior is taking a class, working jobs at Subway and in the school’s IT department and has an internship with the Port of Tampa Bay. Logan started his internship May 16, and it hasn’t taken long for
At first glance, Port Tampa Bay doesn’t appear to be much more than an elaborate rail yard jutting into Hillsborough Bay. But “when you peel the onion away, so to speak, you find there’s technology at every level that’s critical to running a complex, working port,” says Port Tampa Bay CEO Paul Anderson. Port Tampa Bay is Florida’s largest port
LAKELAND, Fla. – This summer, dozens of students at Florida Polytechnic University are fanning out across the country to intern with some of the largest and most high-tech companies, solving real-world challenges and building their path to full-time employment. A total of 64 Florida Poly students have secured internships with dozens of companies such as Coca-Cola, General Electric, Lockheed Martin,
Florida Polytechnic University is pleased to recognize one of its prominent Foundation Board members, Dr. Sijo Parekattil, Co-Director of the PUR clinic, for completing a remarkable cross-country “Drive for Men’s Health” road trip, raising awareness of men’s health issues. Their trip also helped raise financial support for men’s health research and the Florida Polytechnic University Foundation, which supports scholarships and the
LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University has been awarded “Candidacy for Accreditation” status by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), one of the nation’s leading accrediting bodies. University President Dr. Randy K. Avent shared the news with students, faculty and staff during a gathering at the Innovation, Science and Technology (IST) Building. SACSCOC Vice President,
