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Randy K. Abend
The Florida Tech community is grateful for the strong support we received from the Polk County Legislative Delegation during the 2024 session.
Sen. Colleen Barton, Sen. Ben Albritton, Rep. Josie Tomkow, Rep. Jennifer Canady, Rep. Melonie Bell, and Rep. Sam Killebrew are passionate advocates for our university and believe in our mission. We would like to thank you for your contribution to the local community.
As a result of this support and the support of legislative leadership, we continue our commitment to growth by expanding our in-demand academic programs, talented student body, top-class faculty, and essential campus facilities. can do.
I also want to give special thanks to Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, Speaker Paul Renner, and Appropriations Committee Chairs Doug Broxson and Tom Leake. Your investment in Florida Poly will support the University’s transformational growth and help solidify its reputation as a premier core STEM institution.
Increased funding to strengthen our programs is key to continuing to recruit the highest performing students in the state. Florida Poly has the second-highest SAT scores of any Florida public university, showing that it attracts the best talent as its campus and academic offerings grow year after year. . The additional resources will allow us to enhance our recruitment and retention efforts in the coming year and will make a huge difference in our ability to not only attract but retain top talent here in Florida.
The Student Achievement Center received funding in the preliminary design phase. This important facility will greatly enhance the student experience by providing the critical resources needed for greater academic and professional success.
Our graduates earn the highest salaries of all state universities one year after graduation, a testament to our excellent engineering education. But while our campus has only two academic buildings so far, SAC is filling a critical gap by providing spaces completely dedicated to student success, career services, and collaborative learning. will be filled in.
The new facility will also include offices for faculty and staff focused on supporting students as they work toward earning their degrees and entering the workforce.
Our university is growing, and as we grow, so will our impact on the state. Although Florida Poly is only 10 years old, it is already a strong economic driver and an important contributor to the state.
The university produces a much-needed pipeline of STEM professionals, provides superior career outcomes for graduates, and attracts high-tech industries. The creation of a new Global Citrus Innovation Center on campus by Fortune 500 company IFF demonstrates the magnetism that polytechnics like ours have for industry development, and companies can tap into our pool of talented students and alumni. I would like to get closer to.
From lean startups to multinational corporate behemoths, engineering and applied science professionals are in high demand and in short supply across the state and nation. Florida Poly was founded to meet this need by producing outstanding talent with education and real-world experience in STEM fields.
In WalletHub’s latest rankings, Florida Poly is ranked No. 30 in the nation for the best career performance, ahead of Stanford University. This shows that our sought-after graduates go on to achieve great success in the industry and excel in high-paying jobs within and outside the state.
As state leaders and the community continue to monitor Florida Poly’s progress and growth, our campus transforms into a national leader in core STEM education, while our students range from promising freshmen to rigorous You will evolve into a professional who is ready to put your high-tech degree to good use.
We are grateful that the Florida Legislature recognizes the value of Florida Poly. We can’t wait to take the big, bold steps necessary to drive growth and expand our academic reach and economic impact in Florida. Our talented students, faculty and staff work hard every day to ensure our state sees tangible benefits from our continued investment in Florida Poly.
Our graduates will be the architects of the future and pioneers of Florida’s progress and success. Thank you very much for your support.
Randy K. Avent is the founding president of Florida Tech in Lakeland, the only STEM-only university in the state.
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