59. Florida Polytechnic President Dr. Randy Avent

Fluent in Floridian

Florida Polytechnic University President Dr. Randy Avent embodies what it means to bring application to education. A longtime researcher, Dr. Avent has led the university to go all in on STEM studies. When students aren’t in the classroom or library working hard, they’re likely to find Dr. Avent enjoying the beautiful campus, taking part in ping pong tournaments or attending the annual integral bee on campus. Prior to Florida Polytechnic, Dr. Avent obtained his PhD. in Biomedical Mathematics and Engineering from the University of North Carolina, served at the Department of Defense and conducted research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In his conversation with SalterMitchell PR President Heidi Otway, he discusses the many fields of study for students at Florida Poly, including brain mapping, autonomous vehicles and quantum communications.