Hosted by: Kurt Elmhorst Special guest: Dr. Devin Stephenson

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of Florida Polytechnic University, and Jack Harrell III (“J3”), CEO of a third-generation fertilizer company, come together to talk about their shared passion for higher education. Dr. Stephenson reflects on his first year at the university, his family, and his vision for its future, including how Polytech is embracing AI and evolving to meet student needs.

With a $300 million local impact, zero tuition increases since opening, and innovative strategies like AI-based student recruitment, Florida Polytechnic is setting a bold example for modern education. Jack also shares how his company is using AI in the field, revealing more overlap between their worlds than one might expect.

In this episode we cover:

• Dr. Stephenson’s path to Florida Polytechnic University (3:30)
• How his 1st year went at the University (6:41)
• Information on the Stephenson family (8:41)
• How Florida Polytechnic University is evolving (11:11)
• The University is making about a 300 million dollar impact in this area (16:55)
• Where are the students coming from (20:54)
• There has not been a tuition increase since the University opened (26:22)
• How AI is affecting the students (28:14)
• How Jack Harrell’s company is using AI (31:46)
• Polytechnic is using AI to determine the level of interest of potential students (34:41)
• Dr. Stephenson’s vision for the future of the University (35:00)

Links From the Show:

Allen & Company
Harrell’s Inc.
Florida Polytechnic University

Connect with:

Kurt Elmhorst – MBA, CFP® Sr. Vice President, Financial Advisor
Kurt Elmhorst – Allen & Company
LinkedIn – Kurt Elmhorst

Jack Harrell III – President & CEO, Harrell’s Inc.
Harrell’s Inc – Jack Harrell III
LinkedIn – Jack Harrell III

Dr. Devin Stephenson – President, Florida Polytechnic University
Florida Polytechnic University – Dr. Devin Stephenson
LinkedIn – Dr. Devin Stephenson

The opinions voiced in this program are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which strategies or investments may be suitable for you, consult an appropriate qualified professional prior to making a decision.