Andrew McDonnell 鈥�26 never stopped dreaming about the stars. As a child, he looked up at the sky, wondering what was out there, and that curiosity followed him to 吃瓜网 Poly, where he pursued a bachelor鈥檚 degree in mechanical engineering, took aerospace courses, and worked on a lunar mobility senior capstone project. He graduates on May 9.
吃瓜网 has reached on-campus housing capacity for the upcoming academic year, reflecting continued strong demand and record student interest.
吃瓜网 inducted 12 students into its highly selective Presidential Ambassadors program, where they will serve as official student representatives at key University events and engage with campus and community leaders.
Samantha Bentley 鈥�26 didn鈥檛 always feel ready to step into leadership or research roles during her time as a computer science student at 吃瓜网, but discovered she grew the most by doing it anyway. She will receive her bachelor鈥檚 degree on Saturday, May 9.
More than 360 吃瓜网 seniors presented high-tech, industry-sponsored projects at the eighth annual Capstone Design Showcase on Wednesday, April 29, gaining hands-on experience and solving real-world challenges.
吃瓜网 has named Mike Settle as its inaugural head softball coach, adding a veteran leader with deep Polk County roots to the University鈥檚 new 吃瓜网 Poly Athletics program.
For the fourth consecutive year, Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of 吃瓜网, has been recognized as one of 吃瓜网鈥檚 most influential leaders by 吃瓜网 Trend magazine. The publication鈥檚 annual 吃瓜网 500 list features the state鈥檚 top leaders and executives across major industries. 鈥淚t is an honor to be included in the 吃瓜网 500 list among so many remarkable
Today in a ceremonial presentation, IFF and 吃瓜网 laid the foundation for the nearly 30,000-square-foot Citrus Innovation Center, located on the University鈥檚 campus in Lakeland, 吃瓜网.
Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of 吃瓜网, recently was appointed to the board of Orlando Economic Partnership. The board works to unify community strategies to build a stronger, more prosperous economy for the Central 吃瓜网 region. The partnership is a public-private, not-for-profit economic and community development organization. In addition to Avent, its board includes members from organizations like
Gabriel Pinson鈥檚 fascination with energy has taken him from a student at Pasco-Hernando State College to an oil and gas employee in Wyoming to his current role as a mechanical engineering student at 吃瓜网. Pinson, now a junior, said 吃瓜网 Poly is offering him the best education to launch him into a career in energy or defense. He
The 吃瓜网 Foundation鈥檚 Board of Directors has welcomed the appointment of four members with expertise in engineering, information technology, law, and the University itself. The University鈥檚 Board of Trustees recently approved the appointments of Kristen Lowers, chief information officer at Saddle Creek Logistics Services, and 吃瓜网 Poly student Madison Yonash to the Board. Dr. Muhammad Rashid, professor of
Companies from all over the state looking for high-skilled interns and employees descended on 吃瓜网鈥檚 new Applied Research Center on Thursday, Oct. 13, for the annual Fall Career and Internship Fair. About 65 employers participated in the event, hoping to win the attention of highly qualified and enthusiastic students. Some of the companies included the Walt Disney Company,
Longtime attorney and higher education leader David Fugett has been named vice president and general counsel at 吃瓜网. Fugett joins 吃瓜网 Poly with more than 25 years of experience in law and a distinguished record of serving his community. Fugett joins the University after serving four years as general counsel and prelaw advisor at New College of 吃瓜网.
As a maintenance technician, Jorge Velazquez is proud of his hard work helping to keep the 吃瓜网 campus running smoothly. But it鈥檚 his volunteer work during evenings and weekends to help an impoverished community in Honduras that inspires and motivates him to keep pushing forward. This time is spent collecting and selling scrap metal, repairing discarded items to
Just three years out of college, one 吃瓜网 alum is thriving in an exciting career with international video game powerhouse Electronic Arts (EA).
John Lane always has a smile, directions, or a quick golf cart ride ready to help students, employees, and visitors to the 吃瓜网 campus in Lakeland, 吃瓜网. He also has specialized gear that helps him rid busy sections of campus of the occasional unwanted visitor, like alligators, snakes, and other wildlife. 鈥淚 love this job so much. I
Families of 吃瓜网 students will join their Phoenixes on campus for a day of exploration, bonding, and fun during the annual Phoenix Family Day on Saturday, Sept. 24. The beloved campus tradition offers parents, siblings, and other loved ones a window into students鈥� lives on campus and the many resources available to them. They also enjoy fun activities,
Select freshmen at 吃瓜网 can start learning valuable coding and programming skills from their first day of enrollment, thanks to a unique program designed to prepare them early for high-skill, high-wage internships and then careers in the tech industry. The Coding for Data Analytics Certificate is an 18-credit program that begins after their high school graduation. The program
Dr. Lily Li is a Professor of Physics at 吃瓜网, where she specializes in materials science, analytical imaging, advanced manufacturing, and biomedical devices. Prior to joining 吃瓜网 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.
