Office of the President

Hello, Panthers.

It is a spring season to celebrate success, and this month, we’re highlighting a few accolades that make us all Panther Proud!

• Newsweek magazine said we are the top online college in Florida and 10^th best in the nation in its 2026 Best Online College Ranking.

Whether on campus or online, a Florida Tech degree is the key that unlocks a valuable future.

Meanwhile, the 2026 Global Employability University Ranking and Survey, or GEURS, remind us why our alumni land jobs that matter – and that pay!

GEURS is impressive, and the numbers tell the tale: For 2026, the survey tabulated 120,000 votes from more than 12,350 employers – many of them hiring managers – across 32 countries, all to identify the world’s 250 leading institutions for employability.

• The votes are in, and Florida Tech is No. 23 among the dozens of U.S. universities on the list and the top ranked institution in Florida! Globally, we are No. 91 among the full list of 250 top schools for employability, joining MIT, Stanford, Imperial College London and others in the prestigious top 100.

Back on campus, we are expecting word later this month on another appreciated accolade: Florida Tech will be named a Military Friendly School for 2026-27.

This national honor, which Florida Tech was first awarded way back in 2008, is a humbling distinction. It reflects our rich and respected relationship with the U.S. military over the decades in service to our nation’s students.

In earning this honor last year, the Military Friendly organization noted that a recipient school such as Florida Tech is one that “strives towards and succeeds in the areas that matter most in helping veterans transition from the military to school and, ultimately, satisfying careers in the civilian world.” 

Just as in our armed forces, at Florida Tech success is never handed out—it is earned. Graduates prove their merit, and the world knows it. Employers trust this institution because they trust the students who graduate from it.

We’ll talk again soon. Until then, go Panthers!

Sincerely,

John Nicklow, Ph.D.
President

Hello, Panthers!

How is it already mid-February? It looks like 2026 shows no signs of slowing, so make sure you take advantage of all your university has to offer! I’m pleased to give you a quick update.

First, did you hear that Florida Tech was named to The Princeton Review’s Mental Health Services Honor Roll for 2026? The prestigious list identifies colleges that demonstrate a strong commitment to their students’ mental health and well-being. Florida Tech was one of only two undergraduate institutions in Florida to earn the honor.

Next, have you taken time to check out the big ideas Florida Tech has for the future? If not, I encourage you to scroll through the university’s master plan on our Web site. We have an ambitious vision to expand resources for our students, as witnessed by the construction of Crimson Crossing, the 556-bed, state-of-the-art student housing complex opening this fall. As you view the master plan and its goals, consider clicking on the “Share Feedback” link and sending us your thoughts. There are some exciting initiatives there and your input is welcome!

Finally, get ready because 37 Hours of Giving is on its way! Florida Tech’s annual giving event to support our students and programs will be “out of this world” this year! It’s all happening March 6-8. Friends across campus and beyond, please encourage your network to support our university. Log on and check it out.

We’ll talk again soon. Until then, go Panthers!

Sincerely,

John Nicklow, Ph.D.
President

Hello, Panthers.

Can you feel it? Excitement is in the air as Spring semester 2026 is off and running.

Your experience this term will be what you make it, and I encourage you to make it great! One powerful way to do that? Involvement. I believe getting involved truly sparks success.

Here are a few things coming this spring that are ripe for involvement. And remember, that can be as simple as coming to an event that interests you.

First, did you hear that a key U.S. Space Force leader will be speaking on campus in February? Maj. Gen. Timothy Sejba, a past STARCOM commander now serving as Special Assistant to the Vice Chief of Space Operations, will be the speaker at the 2026 F. Alan Smith Distinguished Lecture Series on Feb. 19 at Gleason Performing Arts Center. Go online now and register!

And it’s never too early to start planning for our annual Northrop Grumman Engineering & Science Student Design Showcase coming to Clemente Center April 24-25. With a project or not, just walking through and checking out students’ amazing ingenuity and creativity will boost your pride in Florida Tech and its student body.

There’s so much to do as 2026 marches on! I encourage you to sign up, show up, and have fun. That goes for students, faculty, staff and alumni, too: Florida Tech is all about opportunities to get involved, as with our faculty/staff Pickleball group, the Pickled Panthers! Relish the fun.

Stacy and I look forward to seeing you at many activities and events across the Spring semester. We’ll talk again soon.

Until then, go (out), Panthers!

Sincerely,

John Nicklow, Ph.D.
President

Dear Florida Tech Family,

We are deeply grateful to you for all the ways you’ve helped make Florida Tech grow and thrive in 2025. 

May the spirit and the beauty of the holidays bloom in your hearts throughout 2026!

With warmth and gratitude,

President John and Dr. Stacy Nicklow