Florida Tech President John Nicklow on Wednesday offered his spring State of the University address, presenting a school that is growing and active with new degree programs and key personnel hires, research infrastructure improvements and a bustling Vertex Applied Innovation Hub.
“I am so excited about where this university is headed,” Nicklow told the assembled faculty and staff at Gleason Performing Arts Center. “I hope that you are, too.”
Here’s a closer look at three key areas Nicklow addressed, and be sure to check out the video segments posted below to hear his remarks from the address.
Academic Affairs
This division regularly reviews academic programs and curricula to ensure their continued relevance, quality and alignment with institutional goals and workforce needs.
Such an analysis, Nicklow said, has recently spurred the development of new master’s degree programs in Business Analytics and Healthcare Management and a new MBA with space specialization.
Nicklow announced another new, powerful academic addition coming soon: a “3+4” program collaboration with campus neighbor Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine that will allow students to get a Florida Tech Bachelor of Science degree in an accelerated, three-year timeframe and then shift into the D.O. program at Burrell.
“That important collaboration advances our shared commitment to preparing future physicians for evolving healthcare needs,” Nicklow said.
And in another example of the university responding to real-world workforce needs, Nicklow said Florida Tech has established a dual enrollment pathway for air traffic control that allows high school students on the Space Coast to begin their coursework while still in high school and carry that forward after graduation to an associate degree in air traffic control or bachelor’s degree in aeronautical science.
“This program will expand early access to specialized, workforce-aligned learning opportunities and strengthen K–12 partnership and outreach,” Nicklow said.
Investments in Research
Florida Tech is strengthening its research infrastructure with key hires, Nicklow explained.
The university has established a new position, director of research development, that will work with faculty to help identify funding opportunities and organize grants and provide general support for grant writing.
Nicklow said James Parker, Ph.D., will start in the position in mid-March. Parker has a Ph.D. in chemistry and previous experience in grant writing as an assistant professor, senior research program manager for the U.S. Army Laboratory and research development associate at Duke.
The Provost’s Office and the Office of Research are also currently engaged in a search to fill another key position, Nicklow said: director of sponsored research finance. This person will supervise two grant accountants and, importantly, be a liaison between the Provost’s Office, the Office of Sponsored Programs, the Finance Office and faculty.
“We are pleased to have such a position to serve as a bridge across these different offices,” Nicklow said. “Interviews are currently underway.”
Vertex Rising
A key nexus in Florida Tech’s research efforts – and many others – is the university’s Vertex Applied Innovation Hub in Palm Bay. Officially launched in February 2025, the multifaceted facility is a critical and growing part of the entrepreneur and workforce ecosystems in the region and state.
Nicklow detailed a recent event at Vertex led by Florida Commerce Secretary Alex Kelly. Florida Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Pitch Day brought Kelly and many others to the facility for networking and presentations from 10 high-growth companies in the AAM space.
“The Vertex team expertly executed this event, which brought visibility to that facility and Florida Tech and further solidified the university’s relationship with key Tallahassee stakeholders,” Nicklow said.
Elsewhere in the building, the global powerhouse Dassault Falcon Jets is the newest official Business in Residence. A major new tenant and partner that reflects the growing presence and reputation of Vertex and Executive Director Samantha Miles.
On campus, Miles and about 20 faculty members are partnering to submit to the National Science Foundation a request for proposal for a $20 million grant for interdisciplinary cloud laboratories.
“Miles and her team are doing amazing things down there,” Nicklow said.
Quick Hits
>> Accreditation confirmed: Florida Tech’s accrediting agency, SACSCOC, has reaffirmed the university’s accreditation with no further reporting requirements. That is akin to acing the test. “It couldn’t have been a more ideal outcome,” Nicklow said. “This truly takes a team.” Next up is a five-year interim report due in 2031.
>> Sound investment: Buoyed by disciplined investment management and continued donor support, Florida Tech’s endowment is up 8.4% year-over-year to more than $120 million.
>> Crimson completing: Construction on Florida Tech’s new six-story housing complex, Crimson Crossing, continues apace and the university remains on track to welcome students this August, Nicklow said. He offered this fun fact that illustrates the size of the structure: If one laid the more than 19,000, 4’x12′ drywall panels installed at Crimson Crossing end-to-end, they would stretch for over 43 miles!
>> Smart cats: One of the most impressive abilities Florida Tech scholar-athletes possess, Nicklow said, is not even an athletic skill: time management. That’s key to them earning a remarkable 3.46 GPA in Fall 2025 across the university’s 15 sports teams. There were 98 individuals who posted perfect 4.0 GPAs.
>> Meet and greet: It is important to stay connected with Florida Tech’s alumni network, and Nicklow and the Alumni Affairs team are earning their frequent flier miles doing so. Upcoming trips include Charlotte, Charleston, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
>> Pickleball, y’all: The university dedicated four pickleball courts this month that are now busy with players of all ages, Nicklow said. Florida Tech has added to the Sunshine State’s status as pickleball court leader with more than 5,600 – well, 5,604 – courts, ahead of No. 2 California.
