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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 celebrates in-demand STEM grads, departing president at 2024 commencement

May 5, 2024

Florida Polytechnic University celebrated the conferral of more than 200 bachelor’s and master’s degrees at its commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 5, capping off years of intensive coursework and the attainment of a high-demand STEM degree. The event, which took place at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, marked the University’s 10-year anniversary and the end of a strong academic

Rotaract grads make their mark as they depart Florida Poly

May 3, 2024

Student involvement in Florida Polytechnic University’s Rotaract Club attracts community-minded individuals of all personal and academic backgrounds to come together to help improve the areas where they live. Two graduating club members recently received significant honors from its sponsor, the Auburndale Rotary Club. Thomas Risalvato, who receives his bachelor’s degree in business analytics on Sunday, May 5, was presented the

Florida Poly students stepping into waiting high-tech careers after graduation

May 2, 2024

With a commitment to producing 100% STEM graduates ready to fill high-tech, high-demand jobs across the state, Florida Polytechnic University will graduate more than 200 students on Sunday, May 5 with many beginning full-time positions just days later. Korrie Smith, who is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, will begin work as a technical specialist with Sarasota County’s

Q&A: Grad leaves lasting campus impact through leadership, athletics

April 30, 2024

When Madison Yonash ’24 arrived on campus as an undergraduate business analytics major at Florida Polytechnic University, she immediately began discovering ways to get involved. Soon, she was not only plugged in, but she was making a lasting impact on her peers and her University. She will receive her bachelor’s degree on Sunday, May 5. When she wasn’t dedicating her

Florida Poly inducts dozens of Phoenixes into Order of the Engineer

April 25, 2024

In a formal ceremony among their engineering peers, the newest mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering graduates at Florida Polytechnic University joined the Order of the Engineer on Wednesday, April 24. “Induction into the Order of the Engineer is an opportunity for engineering graduates to commit to maintaining the highest ethical standards and recognize their responsibility toward the engineering profession as

Seniors present innovative industry solutions at annual Capstone Showcase

April 24, 2024

Teams of Florida Polytechnic University seniors presented their innovative capstone projects to faculty, guests, and industry sponsors on Thursday, April 24, at the University’s annual Capstone Showcase. The event is the culmination of the teams’ work throughout the academic year to devise solutions to real-world problems posed by industry partners. International student Korrie Smith said his team’s energy assessment, analysis,

Q&A: Grad’s persistence, determination add up to bright future

April 23, 2024

Emily Crowley ’24 will earn a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from Florida Polytechnic University on Sunday, May 5. Crowley is a graduate of the International Baccalaureate School at Bartow High School. Through high school and college, she dedicated herself to learning and achieving personal and academic goals while adjusting to living with lupus, an autoimmune disease. When not advancing

President Avent named Florida Poly’s 2024 commencement speaker

April 22, 2024

Florida Polytechnic University has announced that its founding president, Dr. Randy K. Avent, will be its 2024 commencement speaker. This year’s commencement comes as the University marks its 10th anniversary. Avent was appointed to his position as the institution’s leader in June of 2014, just two months before the campus opened its doors for its first fall semester. He plans

Q&A: Grad set to work with defense industry in software engineering

April 18, 2024

It’s never been difficult to spot Alexander Bodoh ’24 around campus at Florida Polytechnic University. While some simply look for his stylish and ever-present black fedora, others know him by his leadership, academic success, or campus involvement. “I think of myself as an individual very focused on leadership and self-improvement,” said the Lakeland, Florida, native who will graduate summa cum

Dr. G. Devin Stephenson selected as next president of Florida Polytechnic University

April 15, 2024

The Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees announced the selection of Dr. G. Devin Stephenson as the next president of the University. The announcement followed a vote by the Board during a public meeting on Monday, April 15. Stephenson, who currently serves as president of Northwest Florida State College, will become Florida Poly’s second president, pending confirmation by the Board

Florida Poly professor receives NSF CAREER award to study revolutionary low-cost metal 3D printing process

April 11, 2024

Dr. Sanna Siddiqui, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Florida Polytechnic University, has been awarded a prestigious CAREER award of $536,110 by the National Science Foundation. The five-year award is part of the NSF’s Faculty Early Career Development Program. Siddiqui is researching the fatigue performance and failure of metal parts that are manufactured through a low-cost form of metal 3D

Q&A: Engineering grad gets head start on career in research

April 10, 2024

Sydney Wickett ’24 is on the fast track to earning her master’s degree from Florida Polytechnic University. When she receives her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace on Sunday, May 5, Wickett will be only one year away from returning to the commencement stage for her advanced degree. She is among the first participants in the