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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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Former State Sen. Kelli Stargel joins Florida Polytechnic University

February 9, 2023

Former state senator and community advocate Kelli Stargel has joined Florida Polytechnic University in a new role designed to help the all-STEM institution broaden its statewide impact. As Florida Poly’s senior advisor for strategic relationships, Stargel will lead efforts to develop and manage statewide relationships and partnerships, leveraging them to further the University’s goals. This includes maximizing engagement opportunities for

Students to get boost in spring career fair prep

February 6, 2023

The annual Florida Polytechnic University Spring Career and Internship Fair is just around the corner, but students still have plenty of opportunities to polish their skills and gain an edge as they seek positions with some of the state’s most sought-after tech employers. “A unique opportunity we have at Florida Poly is the focus on developing not only the tech

Florida Poly president named to Tampa Bay’s list of most impactful business leaders

February 1, 2023

Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Polytechnic University, was recognized as one of the most influential business executives by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. The publication revealed its annual Power 100 list today, acknowledging the business leaders who have generated the biggest impact in the Tampa Bay region. It is Avent’s third consecutive year on the prestigious list. “I’m

Florida Poly student uses 3D printing to help injured turtles

January 31, 2023

Injured turtles and tortoises throughout Florida now have a stronger chance of survival thanks to Florida Polytechnic University mechanical engineering student Matthew DeCicco. DeCicco stepped in to help nonprofit agency Swamp Girl Adventures when it reached out for technological assistance. The education and wildlife rehabilitation organization, led by reptile rehabilitator Kim Titterington, approached the University looking for help creating lifelike

Students design VR safety training for nationwide construction management company

January 27, 2023

Construction sites can be dangerous places, and Florida Polytechnic University capstone design students are working to make them safer. A group of four computer science seniors are creating virtual reality (VR) simulations for enhanced safety training at Whiting-Turner, a nationwide construction management company with locations in Florida, with the goal of reducing worksite incidents. “An employee can come on board

Florida Poly students visit State Capitol to advocate for the University

January 26, 2023

Nearly a dozen Student Government Association members from Florida Polytechnic University traveled to the State Capitol in Tallahassee this week to meet with legislators and discuss their priorities for both their University and the other universities in the State University System. “Our goal is to share our stories and experiences as Florida Poly students with legislators and demonstrate all the

Fulbright Senior Scholar from Australia shares research on true cost of cyberattacks

January 20, 2023

The Florida Polytechnic University community had the opportunity to learn from Australian Fulbright Senior Scholar Dr. Alex Frino about the true financial costs of cyberattacks for large U.S. companies. Frino is collaborating on important research at Florida Poly investigating cyberattacks’ overall cost to securities companies from the time an attack occurs to the time it’s announced publicly. Dozens of students,

New analysis shows Florida Poly majors prep grads for top-paying careers

January 18, 2023

A recent analysis linking college majors to high-paying careers concluded that technology-driven and engineering positions are among the most immediately lucrative. As the only state institution with an all-STEM curriculum, Florida Polytechnic University is preparing its students to enter the top field on the list, as well as many other high-paying careers listed. The analysis released by CBS News showed

Solaris is the newly named Florida Poly mascot

January 11, 2023

More than 100 members of the Florida Polytechnic University community cheered on the unveiling of Solaris as the name of the University’s Phoenix mascot. The energetic mascot hyped up the crowd throughout the event. “This is an exciting day to celebrate another milestone in the history of the University,” said Dr. Randy Avent, Florida Poly’s president. “Mascots are very important

Police sergeant puts decades of experience to work at Florida Poly

January 9, 2023

Florida Polytechnic University Police Sgt. David Last’s career has always seen him serve and protect all those around him. Last joined the U.S. Air Force during his years in college where he was studying accounting. After more than 10 years the military, he joined a program called “Troops to Cops,” which trained the then-staff sergeant to work in local law

Florida Poly alum achieves ambition of becoming cybersecurity pro

January 4, 2023

Osaki Pokima ’20 pursued an education at Florida Polytechnic University to fulfill his goal of working in cybersecurity. Today, he is a senior implementation engineer at Fortress Information Security, based in Orlando, Florida. The company is one of the nation’s largest cybersecurity providers of supply chain risk management and asset vulnerability management solutions. “I support end users, which are our

Wrap up 2022 with these top 10 stories

December 30, 2022

So many big things happened for Florida Polytechnic University in 2022. We launched degrees, opened the long-awaited Applied Research Center, and saw the return of a beloved campus tradition. The students, faculty, and staff at Florida Poly worked hard to make possible all of the achievements of the past year. As we look ahead, 2023 is poised to be better