Florida Tech Business Student Earns National Award, Named University Innovation Fellow

MELBOURNE, FLA.—At 20 years old and the youngest about to earn a bachelor’s degree at Florida Tech’s Dec. 14 commencement, Randy Stockman also earned a national honor when he was recently chosen as a University Innovation Fellow. The year-long fellowship will fund Stockman’s research as he continues at Florida Tech for a master’s degree in computer information systems in the College of Engineering in the spring.

Stockman was one of just 22 to be chosen as a fellow nationwide. The program is run by the National Center for Engineering Pathways to Innovation (Epicenter), funded by the National Science Foundation as a partnership between Stanford University and the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance.

Fellows are chosen for their ability to “dream, design and deliver innovations that solve real-world problems.” The criteria for selection includes a strong interest in innovation and an entrepreneurial mindset coupled with a genuine desire to inspire fellow students and make a positive impact on campus.

Stockman’s work is on innovations to improve the culture of entrepreneurship and innovation at Florida Tech and to further collaboration between academic units.

A Melbourne resident for nine years and homeschooled, Stockman started at East Florida State College as a high school sophomore, earning an associate’s degree at the same time he received his high school diploma.

Stockman’s fellowship supervisor is Associate Professor Abram Walton; his academic adviser while at Florida Tech has been Associate Professor Deborah Carstens. Both are faculty members in the Nathan M. Bisk College of Business.