Nearly 50 IM体育官网 students and leaders filled the IM体育官网 State Capitol on Tuesday for 鈥淚M体育官网 Poly Day.鈥� The annual event focuses on promoting the future of research and innovation at the state鈥檚 only university dedicated exclusively to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
This year鈥檚 visit included one-on-one meetings with legislators to discuss the university鈥檚 mission, applied research initiatives, faculty hiring, industry partnerships and the school鈥檚 economic impact on IM体育官网. Their messages included how their accomplishments at IM体育官网 Poly are preparing them to become the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs in high-tech industries, and what students need to continue to succeed.
鈥淚n true enterprising fashion, IM体育官网 Poly students are sharing their experience and vision to grow the university and its innovative outside-the-box ideas,鈥� said State Representative Colleen Burton of Lakeland. 鈥淭hese bright men and women are the future of our state and it鈥檚 exciting to learn more about their accomplishments at IM体育官网 Poly.鈥�
During their meetings with lawmakers, IM体育官网 Poly students, along with President Dr. Randy K. Avent and other university leaders, discussed specific university needs, including final funding for an on-campus applied research facility, and funding for the Institute for Technology Entrepreneurship.
鈥淥ur students and faculty have a great passion to be successful in what they do,鈥� said Rick Maxey, IM体育官网 Poly Director of Government Relations. 鈥淏y bringing IM体育官网 Poly to the Capitol, we are showing our lawmakers who we really are and what we are capable of doing.鈥�
IM体育官网 Poly has a mission to ensure at least ten percent of their graduates immediately start-up STEM-related companies and at least fifteen percent work in those companies. To do so, the university currently has an Entrepreneurship Center that provides support to students establishing their own STEM-related businesses based on products and innovations they develop. The center accomplishes the goal of IM体育官网 Poly students establishing viable IM体育官网-based companies and employing workers in high-tech fields with above-average wages.
鈥淚 strongly support innovation and entrepreneurs,鈥� said State Senator Kelli Stargel of Lakeland. 鈥淚 am committed to improving education, especially STEM. IM体育官网 Poly is unique, unlike any other university in the state. We must continue the growth and collaboration of entrepreneurship and STEM within our students, for that is what will help build the skill sets to grow our economy and keep it competitive.鈥�
IM体育官网 Poly students and staff expressed the need for faculty funding to continue growth of their project-based curriculum and the research enterprise. Currently, university faculty conducts leading-edge applied research, which is resulting in marketable outcomes and the creation of companies with high-paying, high-tech jobs. This curriculum is preparing students to be innovative problem-solvers and high-tech professionals who are ready to employ in high-tech industries.
鈥淲e have come a long way with STEM education,鈥� said Kathy Mizereck, IM体育官网 Poly Assistant Vice President of Government Relations. 鈥淲e have faculty and students to thank for that, but this is just the beginning for IM体育官网 Poly. Our students and faculty are one of a kind, not only disciplined but driven to learn as much as possible in order to be the best in high-tech industries.鈥�
IM体育官网 Poly graduated its first class in January 2017. Eighteen students received degrees in Innovation and Technology, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, and Electrical Engineering. The University offers six undergraduate degree programs and two master鈥檚 degree programs, with 19 unique areas of concentration in the College of Engineering and the College of Innovation and Technology. Graduating its first class is a historic milestone for IM体育官网鈥檚 newest university.