Florida Polytechnic University has been designated a Fulbright Top Producing Institution by the U.S. Department of State for its commitment to global academic excellence.

It’s a top honor, with just 130 of the nation’s four-year institutions — representing just 5% of such schools — earning the designation.

The honor recognizes colleges and universities with the highest number of candidates selected for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. student and scholar program.

“Our strong focus on international collaborations, such as those through the Fulbright Program and the lasting benefits they provide, is a key part of Florida Poly’s efforts to contribute to a successful technological and economic future in Florida and beyond,” Florida Poly President Devin Stephenson said. “We are honored to receive this recognition and proud of the innovative work our faculty and students are producing through the program.”

The Fulbright Program is an international academic exchange program that seeks to increase friendly and peaceful relations between Americans and citizens of other nations. It was founded in 1946. Now, the U.S. government oversees fellowships and scholarships with more than 160 nations across the globe.

Florida Poly launched its Fulbright Program in 2018 and has seen steady momentum since. The program fosters global collaboration and academic excellence, with one of its earliest achievements being the creation of research and chair positions for Fulbright Visiting Scholars. The program has enabled students and visiting students and faculty from around the world to engage in groundbreaking research.

“This achievement is a testament to your institution’s deep commitment to international exchange and to building lasting connections between the people of the United States and the people of other countries,” Scott Weinhold, principal deputy assistant secretary at the State Department, said in a letter to Stephenson.

“Florida Polytechnic University’s designation as a Fulbright Top Producing Institution clearly demonstrates your dedication to promoting global engagement and mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.”

Florida Poly continues to expand its Fulbright Program and actively seeks opportunities to enrich international academic and research collaborations for both students and faculty.

“Florida Poly and the Fulbright Program share a tradition of excellence that drives innovation and scientific progress,” said Mustapha Achoubane, the university’s senior advisor for international relations. “Our mission is to cultivate world-class talent to power economic and technological advancement.”

Florida Poly was one of 27 institutions designated a Fulbright Scholar Top Producing Institution, which also included Florida State University, Miami Dade College, the University of Tampa, the University of Florida and the University of South Florida. The University of Central Florida, meanwhile, was designated a Fulbright Student Top Producing Institution.

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U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody has formally filed as a candidate seeking another two years in the Senate in 2026.

The Plant City Republican submitted her statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission. Meanwhile, a political committee that supported Moody’s two successful runs for Florida Attorney General has emptied its coffers and donated nearly $3.85 million to a state committee.

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Moody in January to replace former U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio after his confirmation as Secretary of State. Moody will hold the seat until the 2026 election, which will determine who serves the remaining two years of Rubio’s term.

In filing for the federal office, Moody established Moody For Florida as her principal campaign committee. The moves formally make the recent Senate appointee a candidate for federal office for the first time.

The committee was formed in January, but takes on new significance now that Moody has filed her candidacy and designated that as her official committee.

A joint fundraising account, the Ashley Moody Victory Fund, was also created in January. That committee can raise funds alongside Florida Leads, a leadership committee also established in connection with Moody’s candidacy, and with the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the fundraising arm for Senate Republicans.

Tampa political accountant Kirsten Quick of Crosby Ottenhoff Group has been named as the committee’s official Treasurer and custodian of records for all the Moody-connected committees. All those committees are keeping deposits at the Chain Bridge Bank in McLean, Virginia.

As Moody turns her attention to her run for federal office, Friends of Ashley Moody, a state committee that supported her previous runs for state office, formally disbanded on Feb. 18. Before doing so, the committee contributed almost $3.85 million to the Protect Florida PAC.

Like Friends of Ashley Moody, the committee is chaired by Melanie Bonanno with Rich Heitmeyer serving as Treasurer.

While the Friends account at one point seemed poised to support a potential run for Governor for Moody, it could not support a campaign for federal office.

Notably, the Protect Florida committee, which was formed in 2023, must focus on state and local races in Florida. Moody had previously filed paperwork allowing her to solicit donations for the Protect Florida committee but withdrew that in January following her Senate appointment. But a website for the committee still says it is associated with Moody.

Expenditures reported by Protect Florida include $17,500 spent with Tallahassee firm Image Management on media consulting and advertising. They also show $5,000 spent with Seneca Strategies, a Virginia firm founded by Tucker Obenshain, who previously worked with DeSantis’ presidential campaign.

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A construction project to expand a busy stretch of Interstate 75 known for traffic jams is getting sped up, Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a press conference in Ocala.

DeSantis had previously announced his Moving Florida Forward plan to spend $4 billion over five years to tackle more than 20 road constructions in congested areas across the state.

“With Moving Florida Forward, we are able to infuse $541 million to accelerate this I-75 project, where we are creating more lanes on I-75 between State Road 44 and State Road 326. That is going to make a difference for people,” DeSantis said at Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing. “I saw the traffic and I’m like, ‘I’ve got money in the kitty. We can’t wait 15 years. We’ve got to get going now.’”

Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue called the area “one of the worst sections of interstate in the entire state of Florida.”

“We’re super excited about this investment, and you’re going to start to see a lot of work happening out there,” Perdue said.

DeSantis’ infrastructure plan targets several interstate and major roadways that are increasingly more congested as Florida’s population has exploded in recent years. Packed roads can also impede hurricane evacuations, DeSantis said at the press conference.

DeSantis used the press conference as an opportunity to clap back over social distancing rules other states had at the height of the pandemic. The remarks came when he mentioned one of the road constructions is to widen U.S. 98 in Bay County to give more access to Panama City Beach.

“You were in the Panhandle, you didn’t even know COVID existed,” DeSantis said offhandedly. “And their Summer of 2020 was the bestSummer for them in terms of revenue.”

Redoing the I-75 interchange will create an opportunity to bring a Buc-ee’s convenience store by the exit, DeSantis said.

“Who has been to a Buc–ee’s before? OK, most of you,” DeSantis asked the crowd during his press conference. “It’s like the Shangri-La of service stations. It is unbelievable. It’s merchandise. You want beef jerky, they make it onsite. Barbecue, ice cream, baked goods, I mean, you name it.”

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