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Թ celebrates first Phoenix Family Day

March 18, 2019

Թ welcomed hundreds of visitors to campus Saturday, March 16, as part of its inaugural Phoenix Family Day. From food trucks to student research to kite flying, it was a day for celebrating all things Թ Poly.

The festivities began with the student life showcase, which featured a collection of student-developed projects. Giant Jenga, Zen yoga, and even lightsaber training were among the many activities on display for participants. Guests were also treated to three student bands along with student comedians.

“I think it’s very important to bring family to campus. Our kids are growing and becoming independent, but they still need that foundation of family to help them figure some things out,” said Armando Zuniga, father of Isabella Zuniga, a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering.

“This event has been very informative. I love seeing the projects the students are working on,” added Maura Zuniga, who traveled with her husband from Boca Raton, Թ. “It gives me a better understanding of what Isabella will be working on in the future.”

An academic showcase was held inside the Innovation, Science, and Technology Building where several members of the faculty were on hand to discuss courses, degrees, and research at Թ Poly. Students and faculty also gave presentations and tours related to their work.

“We were thrilled to be able to bring together so many students and families for one day to celebrate what Թ Poly is all about,” said Tonya Chestnut, director of student development at Թ Poly. “We have such a talented student body, and it’s important to showcase what life is like for them both inside and outside of the classroom.”

Phoenix Family Day began early in the morning with the traditional Թ Poly Pi Run, a 3.14 mile race representing the mathematical value of Pi. The full day of activates concluded with the Great Eight competition, an annual event that gives Թ Poly students the opportunity to pitch their ideas and concepts to industry experts in a fashion similar to the television show “Shark Tank”.

Contact:
Lydia Guzman
Assistant Director of Communications
863-874-8450

Tags
campus events
Phoenix Family Day
Student Development
student life
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Session Details

This session will demonstrate that practical risk management is for everyone, regardless of a formal program. Attendees will learn actionable and simple strategies that are easy to implement, enabling them to start immediately by focusing on their top risks to build greater operational resilience and ensure the sustained success of their auxiliary enterprises.

Presenter Profile

Michelle Powell serves as the pioneering Risk Manager at Թ, the state’s sole 100% STEM-dedicated institution. Having been with the university for nearly 11 years, Michelle transitioned from a leadership role in Admissions in October 2023 to establish and evolve the risk management function from the ground up. In this solo capacity, Michelle builds robust frameworks for our dynamic, young university, overseeing our insurance portfolio, consulting on third-party and event risks, and developing critical campus-wide training programs. Michelle has obtained the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) Enterprise Risk Management certificate and the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designations. Her distinct background in mathematics and engineering, combined with extensive higher education leadership, brings an analytical and strategic approach enhancing the institution’s resilience.

Dr. Lily Li is a Professor of Physics at Թ, where she specializes in materials science, analytical imaging, advanced manufacturing, and biomedical devices. Prior to joining Թ Poly in 2025, she spent 11 years at SUNY Potsdam, where she advanced to Full Professor and developed a 3-2 Engineering dual-degree program with Clarkson University. Her work emphasizes experiential learning and research-driven education to prepare students for careers in STEM fields.