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Florida Poly fuels $952 million in annual economic impact

November 20, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University is fueling Florida’s economy with more than $952 million in annual economic activity, according to a new study by distinguished economist Dr. Rick Harper. The analysis shows the University contributes over $523 million each year to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP), including more than $117 million directly within Polk County. The University’s economic activity stems from

Florida Poly opens new hub for innovation: the Gary C. Wendt Engineering Center

November 18, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University celebrated a major milestone with the debut of its 40,000-square-foot Gary C. Wendt Engineering Center (GCW) on Tuesday, Nov. 18. The $15 million facility adds state-of-the-art laboratory space and equipment designed to elevate student learning, fuel innovation and solidify the University’s role as an economic driver for the state of Florida. The GCW features advanced research and

Florida Poly alum at the heart of bioprinting innovation

November 17, 2025

Dr. Steven Chisolm ’19 believes the future of medicine is being built layer by layer, literally. What may sound like science fiction, such as 3D printing functional hearts or kidneys for transplant, is quickly becoming possible, and he is among the innovators helping turn that vision into reality. A proud Florida Polytechnic University mechanical engineering graduate, Chisolm is now a

Florida Poly faculty joins national committee on recycling innovation

November 14, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University’s Dr. Malak Anshassi has earned national recognition for her research advancing recycling, solid waste management and sustainability. She was recently appointed to serve as a recycling expert on a prestigious committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to address the pressing problem of waste reduction. Anshassi, an assistant professor of environmental engineering, was selected

From boot camp to Blue Origin: Engineering student builds future at Florida Poly

November 10, 2025

Celebrating Veterans Day Every Veterans Day, Florida Polytechnic University student Jonny Anderson can’t help but reflect on the journey that led him from serving in both the Marine Corps and Air Force Reserve to helping build rockets for space technology company Blue Origin. With determination squarely focused on earning a mechanical engineering degree, Anderson is living a dream many students

Florida Poly and South Korean university GIST team up to drive global STEM research

November 6, 2025

A new partnership between Florida Polytechnic University and South Korea’s Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) is set to boost academic and research collaboration at both institutions, widely recognized for advancing STEM education. The partnership facilitates student and faculty exchanges as well as research initiatives, with the goal of elevating the quality and impact of each university’s scholarship and

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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

Florida Polytechnic University President Awarded Prestigious IEEE Fellowship

January 15, 2015

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University President Dr. Randy K. Avent has been named a 2015 Fellow by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the world’s largest professional association dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity. The IEEE Grade of Fellow is granted by the Board of Directors to individuals with an extraordinary record

Florida Polytechnic Universitytechnic Professor and Author to Discuss Her Book on Florida Environmentalist

January 8, 2015

LAKELAND – Florida Polytechnic University Professor Dr. Peggy Macdonald will discuss her new book, “Marjorie Harris Carr: Defender of Florida’s Environment,” at 7 p.m., Jan. 15, at Florida Southern College. Dr. Macdonald is the invited guest speaker in the next lecture in the Florida Lecture Series, sponsored by the Lawton M. Chiles, Jr., Center for Florida History. The lecture is

How to Become an Electrical Engineer: A Counselors Perspective

December 17, 2014

Students often ask counselors how to become an electrical engineer, or what do you need to become an electrical engineer. While it can vary from person to person, we’ve put together a guide for those looking to pursue an engineering degree. An electrical engineer degree is one of the most popular degree choices for college students today. In everyday life, electrical engineers

Is Electrical Engineering Hard?

December 16, 2014

An electrical engineering degree is a study of one of the most dynamic branches of engineering and focuses on the application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. As a career, electrical engineers work on a wide range of components, devices and systems, from tiny microchips to huge power station generators. Electrical engineers are the individuals who make the systems and create

Three Florida Polytechnic University Teams Win ‘Shark Tank’ Style Competition

December 12, 2014

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University is spurring innovation as the organizer and host of an invention competition, similar to the reality show “Shark Tank.” Nine student teams from Florida Polytechnic’s College of Engineering showcased their inventions to a panel of industry experts on Thursday, but only the top three teams won the grand prize – entrepreneurial support from the

Florida Polytechnic University: Already a Family Tradition

December 8, 2014

Many high school students see college as time to set out on their own, to say goodbye to Mom and Dad and experience independence for the first time. But not Makala Quinn. For her, college has become a family affair. Makala is a freshman at Florida Polytechnic University studying Health Informatics and Cyber Security – side-by-side with her father, a graduate student in the

How is Computer Science Different from Computer Engineering?

November 14, 2014

When it comes to STEM education, one question that constantly arises is the difference between computer science and computer engineering. When selecting the appropriate major, it’s important to understand what makes each area of study distinct. Computer Science What is computer science engineering? Computer science is the study of how instructions and data are processed and communicated by devices. This

Top 3 Reasons to Choose an Engineering Degree

November 12, 2014

It’s a big decision – and may well determine your career and professional future. Some may say, one of the biggest decisions of your life. Your passion may be to develop streamlined processes, to solve complex problems, or to generate models via technology. A degree in engineering enables you to make impact, and perhaps change the world. Puzzled about which

The Future of Semiconductor Jobs

November 4, 2014

They’re found in everything – from the watches we wear, to the computers we work on, to the vehicles we drive. Semiconductor technology has helped industries transform and played a huge role in the history of communication technology. Today, electronic devices are smaller, faster and more reliable, thanks to semiconductors engineering jobs. We expect to be able to transmit and

Robotics Epidemic Comes to Florida Polytechnic University Campus

November 3, 2014

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University welcomed more than 100 prominent scientists and physicians from around the world to its campus over the weekend as the host of the Multispecialty Robotic Microsurgery Symposium. The event was part of the fourth annual conference of the Robotic Assisted Microsurgical and Endoscopic Society (RAMSES). University President Dr. Randy K. Avent welcomed the group