News

Latest News

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

All Stories

Police activity on campus

August 1, 2018

August 1, 2018, 10:14 a.m. We are saddened to announce that we have lost a member of our community. Police officials have confirmed the body found on campus this morning was that of a Florida Poly student who died by suicide. Next of kin has been notified. Grief counselors are available in the Innovation, Science and Technology Building to assist

Bringing together business academia and government

July 31, 2018

Partnering with Florida industry is a critical component of Florida Polytechnic University’s commitment to student success. One of the many examples of this is its connection with SOFWERX, a non-profit located in Tampa, Florida, providing high-tech solutions for U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Created in 2015, SOFWERX brings together small and large businesses, academia and government to inform USSOCOM about

Florida Polytechnic University providing Draken International with the missing link

July 31, 2018

What does Florida Polytechnic University have in common with adversary air training assets for the United States military? Turns out, more and more every day thanks to a partnership that is providing internships for Florida Poly students at Draken International. “Who is the best innovative thinker other than a brand new college student who has no paradigms on how they

Saddle Creek Logistics Services and Florida Polytechnic University – Partners in success

July 31, 2018

A thriving business that relies on innovation and technology and a growing STEM (science, technology, math and engineering) university would seem like a perfect match, and that’s certainly the case with Saddle Creek Logistics Services and Florida Polytechnic University. In addition to its financial impact on Florida Poly– which totals more than $1 million and continues to grow – the

Florida Polytechnic University part of TBBJs Fast 50 event

July 26, 2018

The 50 fastest growing privately held companies in the Tampa Bay area were honored recently, and Florida Poly was part of the fanfare as its connection with the tech hub continues to grow. One of the companies that was recognized was Sparxoo, an integrated digital marketing agency located in Tampa. In 2017, Sparxoo played a critical role for Florida Poly

Hundreds come together to share ideas on next generation green technologies

July 20, 2018

More than 100 international scholars as well as industry and government leaders from the U.S. and India came together at Florida Polytechnic University this week (July 18-19) to discuss the next generation of green and sustainable technologies. The group convened in the university’s Innovation, Science and Technology Building in Lakeland, for the two-day GCET-2018 USA-India Conference, which featured an array

2019 commencement date announced

July 18, 2018

Spring 2019 commencement is scheduled for Sunday, May 5, 2019, at 3:30 p.m. at the RP Funding Center’s George Jenkins Arena. Florida Poly Spring 2019 Commencement Sunday, May 5, 2019 3:30 p.m. RP Funding Center–Jenkins Arena 701 W. Lime St. Lakeland, FL 33815 Visit the commencement webpage for the latest information on spring 2019 commencement. If you have questions about

Florida Polytechnic University to Host International Conference on Environmental Technology

July 16, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. – For the first time, leaders in academia, industry and government from the United States and India will come together at Florida Polytechnic University to discuss the most advanced research and development of green chemistry, engineering and technologies (GCET). The GCET-2018 USA-India Conference, also hosted by India’s Panjab University, will be held July 18-19 at the Innovation, Science

Students find unprecedented success with entrepreneurial projects

July 15, 2018

Florida Polytechnic University students and aspiring entrepreneurs have had great success at state and local competitions with their innovative projects designed to bring high-tech solutions to real-world problems. Over the past two years, Florida Poly students won $30,000 for their projects. Florida Poly was also the only university to place in the top three spots in the statewide Governor’s Cup

Boring Business Solutions makes Florida Polytechnic University a priority

July 6, 2018

If you stop by Florida Polytechnic University’s Innovation, Science and Technology Building (IST), you’re probably not going to find a manual adding machine or even an electric typewriter. You’ll be hard-pressed, though, to miss the supercomputer or 3-D printers that typify the latest in technological advances. However, the IST now holds a very strong link between the technology of yesteryear

Professor of Analytics to Deliver Invited Keynote at London Computer Science Conference

June 21, 2018

The impact of emerging technologies on various sectors, including the healthcare industry, will be the focus of an invited keynote talk by Florida Polytechnic University’s Dr. Robert Steele at an upcoming international conference in London. Steele, a professor of data analytics, is one of several scholars from around the world presenting at the 2018 Computing Conference on July 10-12. It’s

Florida Polytechnic University to host international conference on green science and technology

June 14, 2018

LAKELAND, Fla. – Leaders in academia, industry and government will come together for the first time at Florida Polytechnic University for the Green Chemistry, Engineering and Technologies (GCET) Conference hosted by Panjab University, in India, and Florida Polytechnic University. The two-day conference will be held July 18-19 at the Innovation, Science and Technology Building on Florida Poly’s campus in Lakeland.