Florida Tech President John Nicklow on Monday offered his Fall State of the University address, showcasing a university that welcomed another strong enrollment total and is seeing notable growth in key places, including research funding and activity at its Vertex Applied Innovation Hub.
He also made clear these successes do not mean Florida Tech is slowing its quest to grow enrollment, strengthen programs and carry forth on its multi-faceted efforts to be a better university – and he recognized and thanked the assembled faculty and staff for the critical role they do, and will, play.
“Each and every one of you adds to our university’s achievement in unique and special ways,” he said from the stage at Gleason Performing Arts Center. “Thank you for what you do for our students, for our campus and for each other. We need you. I appreciate you.”
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.
Enrollment
For the second consecutive year and only the second time in Florida Tech history, total Fall enrollment topped 10,000 students in 2026. It was basically flat from Fall 2025 but “stable,” Nicklow said.
Within that enrollment figure are encouraging trends, Nicklow noted. The population of female students at Florida Tech has risen the past several years and now represents about 57 percent of our student body.
And in tracking military affiliation among our community, we see a growing trend worthy of our pride, he said, as Florida Tech is now home to over 1,200 military affiliated students.
The positive numbers are not a cause for pause. To the contrary, Nicklow said: “We are planning the work and working the plan.”
This multifaceted effort includes increasing the “overall enrollment funnel” through several approaches: name buys, support from marketing (more about that below) and financial aid leveraging.
The university will seek to increase student commitment across the enrollment process with new “engagement steps” at the time of admissions that might center on housing assignment, billing and possibly block scheduling for new students.
There will be faster processing of course evaluations to strengthen the transfer student process. And the successful “Direct Admit” initiative for graduate students will be expanded to online students.
Brand Platform Refresh
As mentioned earlier, marketing support is critical to achieving the university’s enrollment goals. Nicklow unveiled a new brand platform that is much more than a new logo or even a single campaign.
“Rather, this is a foundation and a starting point for how we craft brand expressions (such as) brochures, content, website, videos” and more, he said.
Nicklow said his primary guidance was that the campaign is not “vanilla” and it is authentically Florida Tech, and the research-informed, agency-facilitated process produced a platform that hits those marks.
Called “Now, go,” the campaign is for a university “defined by action.” Its student-centered messaging is authentically Florida Tech, rooted in our founding story (“Now, go build that university.”) It is distinctive and ownable, versatile and enduring.
Individual images feature bold text that says, “Question Everything” and “Bring Nerve” with pictures of Florida Tech students engaged in hands-on science and engineering.
On the Bring Nerve item, smaller text tells us:
“Bring the question. The ambition. The thing you keep chasing. At Florida Tech, high standards come with real support. Faculty know your name. Hands-on work starts early. The Space Coast keeps what comes next close by. This is where you find out what you can do. By doing it.” Now, Go.
Next in the process is finalizing the platform narratives and playbook in collaboration with faculty, staff and students. A new “brand anthem” video will be unveiled at Discovery Day on Nov. 21, and the full brand platform launches Jan. 1, 2027.
Vertex
In less than two years of operation, Vertex Applied Innovation Hub and executive director Samantha Miles have made remarkable strides in shaping this facility. The numbers tell the story.
Like 38: That is the number of members and collaborators at Vertex, and it is a powerful mix of starts-ups and early-stage companies, fully formed, established outfits, venture funds, area agencies such as the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, and major companies including Dassault Falcon Jet and Leonardo DRS.
The goal is to be at maximum occupancy within 18 months, based on current demand and pipeline. In March, new composites and satellite testing capabilities come online in March, creating a significant new avenue for industry engagement.
And student engagement, powered by these partnerships, has been off the charts, with over 50 student employment and internship opportunities through Vertex and its Businesses in Residence program.
Vertex also generated nearly $100,000 in external revenue last fiscal year, and that is expected to more than double this fiscal year.
It’s why these partnerships are about more than just relationships or visibility, Nicklow said.
“They are producing measurable returns for Florida Tech in revenue, student opportunities, industry-sponsored applied projects and utilization of our capabilities, with significant potential still ahead,” he said.
Around Campus
>> Roberts Hall ADA: Facilities completed renovations at Robert’s Hall, even as they had to remediate damage from the flooding last week. The renovations include a new ADA compliant walkway outside of the building, improved drainage in the area and improved the recycling and disposal area.
>> Parking updates: The Crimson Crossing parking lot is now open, and progress is being made on the new lot behind L3Harris Commons and the lot next to the Sunrise Center, where the 7-Eleven used to be. The parking lot at the Catanese Varsity Training Center has been delayed by permitting, but progress is still being made. Parking signage has been updated across campus to clarify where different permit types are able to park.
>> Gleason refresh: The Gleason Performing Art Center will receive a refresh of the walkway to the front door, following the loss of the sick and damaged ficus tree earlier this year, which had to be removed to prevent falling branches. “When you walk into this auditorium in the future there will be new trees and landscaping to welcome you,” Nicklow said.
Quick Hits
>> Flood recovery: Just one week ago Monday, after the 1,000-year storm that brought flooding and damage to campus and the region, attendees at the State of the Union address would have needed galoshes to get to their seats given the standing water. But “you all stepped up,” Nicklow said. “I specifically want to call out our Security, Facilities, Dining and Housing, Student Affairs and Residence Life teams for the extra effort and long hours to look after our students and keep our campus safe. Thank you!”
>> Research Funding: After a strong Fiscal 2026 that saw the number of proposals grow by 20 and funding increase by nearly 40 percent, Nicklow said there are still ambitious goals this year for research at Florida Tech. The trends are positive: Funding awards are up 7 percent so far for Fiscal Year 2027, and research expenditures are also up, tracking at 30 percent for FY27.
>> Endowment: Presenting a “generally positive” snapshot of university finances, Nicklow said the school’s endowment is growing. At the end of Sept. 30, it stood at $126.3 million, an increase nearly 7 percent (about $8 million) from last year. “A strong and growing endowment helps position Florida Tech for long-term success while supporting our students today,” he said.
>> G. Patterson Hits 45: The biggest ovation of the afternoon may have been when history professor Gordon Patterson (pictured left) was called to the front to receive recognition for his 45 years of service to Florida Tech. He is the longest-tenured employee at the university.
President John Nicklow on…
