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Investor Spotlight – Florida Polytechnic University

Florida Poly is the nation’s leading institution of change, engineered from the ground up to push the boundaries of education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Florida Poly has about 1,700 undergraduate and graduate students and offers more than 31 programs of study. The University is the only state university in Florida dedicated exclusively to STEM education.

Dr. Devin Stephenson, President

Dr. Devin Stephenson is the second president of Florida Polytechnic University, the state’s only public university dedicated 100% to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). He began his presidency in July 2024, coinciding with the University’s 10th anniversary.

As its second president, Stephenson is responsible for continuing Florida Poly’s tradition of excellence and overseeing the University’s continued growth. He is committed to expanding the University’s state and national reputation as an innovative leader in higher education and graduating Florida’s top engineers.

Dr. Stephenson has a remarkable 30-year career in the field of higher education, with more than 15 years of experience as a president and CEO. Prior to joining Florida Poly, he was president of Northwest Florida State College from 2017-2024.

Florida Poly was recently ranked #8 in the nation for top career outcomes for its graduates. What is your approach to helping students find success after graduation?

At Florida Poly, our vision is centered on student success in industry. Our graduates enter the workforce earning the highest salaries among the State University System one year after graduation, and they do it with the least amount of student debt.

A cornerstone of our successful approach is experiential learning. Every Florida Poly student is required to complete at least one internship before graduation, giving them hands-on experience, professional skills, and industry connections that make them stand out in a competitive job market.

Another aspect that helps our students be successful is that our curriculum is strategically aligned with industry needs. It is designed to be agile and responsive to the ever-evolving demands of the job market, ensuring our graduates are ready to thrive in dynamic, high-demand fields.

Florida Poly has some wonderful partnerships with Florida companies. Why is collaboration with the business community so important and beneficial to your students?

We recognize that strong collaboration with the business community strategically positions our students for success in the high-tech industries they will lead. Our industry partners are an integral part of our mission to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and workforce readiness.

An example of this is our strong collaboration with Fortune 500 company IFF, which just built its Global Citrus Innovation Center right on our campus. This partnership will result in cutting-edge faculty research and excellent job opportunities for our students.

By fostering these types of industry connections, we are empowering our students to become bold innovators, prepared to develop solutions for the most pressing challenges facing the world today.

You’ve seen record enrollment in recent semesters. What in your view are Florida Poly’s greatest opportunities for growth in the short term, and the longer term?

Yes, we had our largest incoming class last fall with over 1,700 students. One of our top priorities is to continue growing our student body. Our goal is to increase enrollment to 3,000 as soon as possible, and we are taking intentional steps to reach that milestone.

A key part of our strategy includes adding degrees in the medical and health sciences, as well as growing our graduate program by offering online learning to provide better flexibility for working adults seeking to further their education.

Infrastructure growth is central to our long –term vision. The new Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building is slated to open this spring, providing state-of-the-art research and development labs for engineering disciplines.

Next, we will build the Student Achievement Center, a vital facility that will house comprehensive student services, support programs, and career initiatives designed to help students and elevate their success, both academically and professionally.

We are also engaged in ongoing discussions to develop a research park anchored by the University that will serve as a dynamic hub where academia and industry come together. The research park would be a driving force for innovation, attracting businesses eager to collaborate with our world-class faculty and recruit our highly skilled graduates.

You’re Florida Poly’s second president. What attracted you to Florida Poly and what excites you most about the university’s future?

I was attracted to Florida Poly by its unique position as the only all-STEM university in Florida. This singular focus on science, technology, engineering and math presents an exciting opportunity to be a part of an institution that is shaping the future of high-tech education and contributing to the advancement of the world’s leading and emerging industries. I recognized a great opportunity to contribute to Florida Poly’s growth during this pivotal phase in its development and help propel it toward the next decade of success.

What excites me most about Florida Poly’s future is the extraordinary potential for growth and transformation – not just for our students, but for our community and the entire state. Our University was created to be an economic engine for the state of Florida, and it is inspiring to play a key role in fulfilling that purpose.

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