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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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Florida Poly debuts as #1 public college in the South in US News ranking

September 13, 2021

Florida Polytechnic University has been ranked the number one public college in the Southern region of the United States by U.S. News and World Report. It is Florida Poly’s first appearance on that list. In its 2022 Best Colleges list, U.S. News and World Report ranks Florida Poly third among all top colleges in the Southern United States, including public

Budding game designer embraces his passion on Video Games Day

September 10, 2021

Mark Ellis was only in kindergarten when he picked up a Nintendo GameCube controller and discovered a technology that would shape his life. He embraced the world of Lego Star Wars and soon dove headfirst into new and exciting games every chance he could get. Sunday, Sept. 12, is Video Games Day, and Ellis will likely spend part of the

Six steps to prepare for the peak of hurricane season

September 7, 2021

As hurricane season nears its peak on Sept. 10 and the National Hurricane Center continues monitoring potential storm systems in the Atlantic, it’s important for everyone at Florida Polytechnic University to make sure they are prepared. September is National Preparedness Month, and the annual campaign encourages all Americans to prepare for disasters and other emergencies through the end of hurricane

Florida Poly gets approval for high-tech research partner on campus

September 1, 2021

The Florida Board of Governors has given the green light to a public-private partnership between Florida Polytechnic University and Fortune 500 company International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) during its meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 1, at Florida International University. The Board’s approval of the affiliation agreement is an important milestone in a project that could potentially bring the first high-tech industry

Chemistry practice wins national award for lab innovation

August 31, 2021

An effort to shift chemistry lab practices and reduce the amount of hazardous waste produced during the completion of student lab experiments has won Florida Polytechnic University Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) a national award for innovation. Dr. Scott Wallen, chemistry lab staff in the Department of Environmental Engineering at the University, and the team received the 2021 Innovation –

Focused on student involvement, SGA president is ready to lead

August 30, 2021

With an agenda that includes strengthening student organizations, increasing student resources, and helping the University community move beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, Samantha Ashby has hit the ground running in her new position as Student Government Association president at Florida Polytechnic University. “Right now, the big focus is coming back after a year of being partially online because of COVID,” said

New dining options, leadership invigorate campus food choices

August 27, 2021

Phoenixes seeking to satisfy a craving for tasty, healthy food are finding a pleasant slate of updates across the Florida Polytechnic University campus. The most prominent of these is the Fire + Ash: Concepts Reborn, a new dining venue inside the Wellness Center that offers a specialized, in-demand menu for several weeks before transitioning to a different food concept. The

Florida Poly incoming class skyrockets 25% becoming largest class yet

August 26, 2021

The fall 2021 class of incoming students is the largest in Florida Polytechnic University’s history with more than 625 new students joining the University from an applicant pool of almost 2,000. Dr. Ben Matthew Corpus, vice provost for enrollment at the University, said the robust student enrollment was the result of Florida Poly’s growing reputation in higher education as well

Purple Fire rallies students during first week of class

August 25, 2021

When Rikkote Benfele made his way across Florida Polytechnic University’s campus on the first day of class on Tuesday, Aug. 24, he said he knew he’d made the right decision when it came to choosing a college. “My first day has been amazing and people are so nice here,” said Benfele, a freshman majoring in computer engineering. Benfele stopped by

Move-in and orientation weekend sets successful tone for new semester

August 23, 2021

New and returning Florida Polytechnic University students took part in busy move-in and orientation activities on campus on Aug. 21-23 just before classes begin on Tuesday, Aug. 24. “I’m a little nervous, but I’m also excited,” said Zoe McClanahan, a freshman mechanical engineering major from Covington, Virginia, who moved into the residence halls over the weekend. “I chose Florida Poly for the

Student leadership takes center stage at weeklong U Lead events

August 18, 2021

Presidential Ambassadors, orientation leaders, peer health educators, education assistants, and other student leaders at Florida Polytechnic University are gaining a deep understanding of leadership skills and techniques during the inaugural Florida Poly U Lead student leadership initiative. U Lead works to help guide, educate, and support students in leadership roles across campus. The weeklong initiative began on Monday, Aug. 16

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