JOHN NICKLOW
PRESIDENT, FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, MELBOURNE
Florida Institute of Technology was founded in 1958 by visionary physicist Jerome Keuper. Since Nicklow became president in July 2023, he has led a renowned national research university with global impact across STEM fields and beyond. Florida Tech's nearly 500 full-time and adjunct faculty and more than 880 staff prepare students for impactful careers of the future while expanding educational opportunities through partnerships, including with Brevard Public Schools' AFEX Academy and Northrop Grumman's Level Up program, helping its employees earn master's degrees.
EDUCATION: Bucknell University (BS, MS), Arizona State University (Ph.D.)
DAILY RITUAL: A healthy body empowers a strong mind. My daily routine begins with the treadmill or elliptical machine and some weightlifting, allowing me to have quiet time to focus my energies and tackle the challenges of the day with fresh attention.
INDUSTRY TREND: Higher education embracing industry partners to better meet specific workforce needs can help shape educational avenues such as tailored programs and certifications. Florida Tech is agile to customize programs that ultimately produce graduates who are well suited for career success.
IN MY DOWNTIME: Jigsaw puzzles. Some might find assembling a cohesive image from 1,000 tiny pieces spread across the table a frustrating or even overwhelming task. I always have a puzzle going, and I find it almost meditative. You really can't think about other things when you're doing a puzzle.
FOOD FIX: I enjoy burgers on the grill, combined with warm Florida sunshine as my wife, Stacy, and I sit by the pool.
GIVING BACK: I'm passionate about my association and Florida Tech's partnership with our local school district, Brevard Public Schools. Our K-12 students are our future, and providing innovative educational opportunities to these young Floridians is a privilege.
NEXT BIG FOCUS: My current focus is realizing Florida Tech's master plan, a vision for the infrastructure that will support our students for decades to come. For a technological university it is particularly important to pursue innovative opportunities expanding access to tools that enhance knowledge.
