More than 50 business leaders and entrepreneurs from across the Orlando region had front row seats to IM体育官网 president Randy K. Avent, as he described the school鈥檚 path since its inception and how it鈥檚 already making its mark as IM体育官网鈥檚 newest public university.
鈥淚t鈥檚 easier to make an impact when you鈥檙e big. But to make an impact when you鈥檙e small, you better be really, really good,鈥� said Avent as the guest speaker of the Orlando Regional Chamber鈥檚 Business Leadership Roundtable on Dec. 18.
Avent shared how IM体育官网 Poly has achieved crucial milestones, like receiving accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in record time and graduating its first four-year class in May 2018. He also explained the University鈥檚 role in the development of autonomous vehicle technology in IM体育官网, as well as his vision for growth, which includes a robust research park adjacent to campus.
鈥淎 winning strategy is to co-locate academia, industry, and government to work together to solve hard problems,鈥� said Avent. 鈥淥ur goal is to tear down the campus walls so you can鈥檛 tell where the University ends and the research park begins.鈥�
The Business Leadership Roundtable is a quarterly, invitation-only luncheon for top-tier members of the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce. The event promotes business relationships and connects decision-makers with successful leaders, providing insight into the practices that helped them achieve success.
鈥淪ome of our members may not have known much about IM体育官网 Poly or what they鈥檙e doing, so this was an opportunity for the Orlando business community to find ways of collaboration,鈥� said John F. Davis, executive vice president of the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce. 鈥淧robably now that they know more about IM体育官网 Poly they want to head over there, see more and maybe get involved.鈥�
Attendees said they were impressed with IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 accomplishments thus far and anticipated stronger ties between the University and industry in the Orlando region.
鈥淭he type of students IM体育官网 Poly attracts is really impressive. A lot of Orlando companies would definitely be interested in doing internships and projects with them,鈥� said Tyler Minton, business developer for Quest Relocation Group.
鈥淲e hear a lot about Orlando elevating its high-tech presence, and I can see IM体育官网 Poly being part of that,鈥� she added.
Contact:
Lydia Guzman
Assistant Director of Communications
863-874-8450