A Powerhouse of STEM Education

In the six short years since Florida Polytechnic University first opened its doors to high-achieving students for the 2014-2015 academic year, the University has quickly established itself as a leader in STEM education across the nation.

The feat is no coincidence – state leaders created Florida Poly as a University dedicated entirely to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to meet the high-tech needs of Florida industry. Everything about Florida Poly showcases its commitment to STEM. With state-of-the-art academic and research spaces and an environment that prioritizes hands-on discovery, it is transforming the supply of highly skilled graduates ready to succeed in industry’s most in-demand jobs.

Located in beautiful Lakeland, Florida, Florida Poly offers a relaxing atmosphere for students to take a break from their rigorous studies to unwind and socialize.

Helping students reach their full potential

Students who choose nationally ranked Florida Poly for their higher education are standout scholars whose grades and achievements position them to choose from among the nation’s best schools. Incoming freshmen had an average GPA of 4.25 in fall 2020 with an average ACT score of 30 and average SAT score of 1327.

“We only select students we know are prepared to learn and excel in Florida Poly’s rigorous STEM environment,” said Dr. Ben Matthew Corpus, vice provost overseeing admissions and financial aid.

These excellent students continue to succeed while pursuing their degrees. Florida Poly students thrive on a statewide and national scale in robotics tournaments, pitch competitions, and innovation challenges.

Students partner with industry leaders to create new technology and solve real-world challenges facing their companies.

Students partner with industry leaders to create new technology and solve real-world challenges facing their companies.

The University’s alumni also thrive in their professional careers after graduation. Of the University’s 2018-2019 graduates, 74% were employed or continued their education with a median salary of $56,300 – 41% higher than the State University System of Florida average.

Students also have access to an internationally recognized entrepreneurship program at the University that prepares them to develop and launch their own businesses. Alum Andre Ripley ’19, for example, has already launched three growing companies and secured a $1 million annual partnership with Facebook to run virtual reality gaming tournaments.

_{“Florida Poly gave me a great start toward my life, and I encourage everyone to take advantage of the entrepreneurship program – it just makes everything else easier.”}

Andre Ripley, Florida Polytechnic University Class of 2019

Leading the way with expert faculty

The University’s focus on hands-on, project-based learning and innovative teaching styles has attracted some of the nation’s leading educators. Professors work closely with students in small classes, building relationships and fostering their academic excellence.

Notable faculty members include:

Dr. Muhammad Rashid, chair of Florida Poly’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, recently was listed among the world’s top 2% of scientists and in the top 1% of the 87,611 scientists in his field. Rashid has published more than 160 technical papers and 22 books, which have been translated into dozens of languages and are used by more than 50 universities, including Purdue University and University of California, Berkeley.
Dr. Ajeet Kaushik, assistant professor of chemistry, has had his research featured in the World Health Organization’s database of global literature on coronavirus disease. His work explores the use of nanomedicine, biosensors, and artificial intelligence to diagnose and combat COVID-19.
Dr. Selim Habib, assistant professor of electrical engineering, is part of the Optical Society of America Foundation public policy program, working with leading academics and members of Congress to advance knowledge of the significance of the optics and photonics field.

Florida Poly faculty conduct nationally recognized research into the most in-demand areas of STEM. The University’s Advanced Mobility Institute is advancing the development and testing of autonomous vehicle technology through research into areas such as autonomous vehicle design and testing connected autonomous vehicles in contested environments under cyberattack.

Elsewhere on campus, researchers are working on pioneering technology to remediate contaminants from landfill leachate.

Dr. Mary Vollaro, chair of Florida Poly’s Mechanical Engineering Department, provides personal, close-up support to students in her courses.

Phoenixes demonstrate the cutting-edge laboratory machinery and other technology available to students pursuing their studies at the University.

Building industry leaders through hands-on learning

Students participate in a rigorous, flexible curriculum that nimbly responds to emerging industry needs. With a focus on project-based learning, students internalize their education by going beyond the textbook to learn by doing.

The University prioritizes industry partnerships, developing the high-skill workforce needed now to grow into the jobs of the future. Every student completes an internship, gaining relevant experience that guides their career development.

The Capstone Design Program pairs teams of seniors across disciplines with corporate sponsors seeking a solution to real-world problems. One team, partnering with the Florida Space Institute, is working to develop a planetary rover that could one day traverse the terrain of Mars. Another is working with Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center to develop an app to allow patients unable to speak or write to communicate with their gaze instead.

The Health Systems Engineering program prepares students to take on the healthcare system’s most urgent and complex challenges while Florida Poly’s Nuclear Propulsion Pipeline Program, the first of its kind in the nation, prepares students for the Navy’s prestigious Nuclear Propulsion Office Candidate Program.

_{“I was inspired to apply for the program after learning how I could use the engineering skills I’m learning at Florida Poly in a way that serves my country in projects far more significant than I could imagine."}

Elisa Rexinger, junior majoring in computer engineering.

Recognizing the Florida Poly Difference

As Florida Poly continues to grow, attracting standout students and leading faculty to its iconic Lakeland, Florida, campus, its position in academia continues advancing. The University has been ranked among the best for out-of-state tuition, most affordable mechanical engineering degree programs, and best universities in Florida for top performance at a low cost. Florida Poly also entered U.S. News and World Report’s national rankings of the top 75 engineering colleges without a doctorate degree in 2020, and in the top 40 of those institutions that are public

The new Applied Research Center at Florida Poly features research, classroom, and community space, allowing students and faculty to achieve their goals in a setting designed to support their performance.

The new Applied Research Center at Florida Poly features research, classroom, and community space, allowing students and faculty to achieve their goals in a setting designed to support their performance.

Students learn and excel inside the world-renowned Innovation, Science, and Technology Building, designed by famed architect Santiago Calatrava. A second cutting-edge building, the Applied Research Center, is currently under construction.

Tomorrow’s STEM leaders are gaining the knowledge, real-world experience, and faculty connections at Florida Poly to take on emerging challenges and succeed for Florida and the nation.

Students find strong camaraderie at Florida Poly, building strong connections that assist in both their academic and social fulfillment. Study spaces feature ample whiteboard space and room to collaborate.

This content was paid for and created by Florida Polytechnic University. The editorial staff of The Chronicle had no role in its preparation. Find out more about paid content.