Kniss Joins Polk State Foundation Team

March 28, 2011 - Ileana San Martin Kniss has joined the Polk State College Foundation team as Director of Development. She will be based on the Lakeland campus and provide key linkage with Polk State’s extensive network of donors and alumni, with a particular emphasis in the greater Lakeland area.

The announcement was made this week by Tracy Porter, executive director of the Foundation and vice president of institutional advancement for the College. In making the announcement, Porter cited Kniss’s extensive experience within the Lakeland and Polk County development arena. Prior to joining the Porter’s staff, Kniss was employed by the Lakeland Regional Medical Center Foundation, as well as the Community Foundation of Greater Lakeland and the Lakeland and Orlando chambers of commerce.

Kniss’s areas of expertise include donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship; planned giving; and special events coordination. She also has experience in communications and public affairs. Kniss is a graduate of Polk State College and the University of Central Florida. Her community involvements have included the Kiwanis Club of Lakeland, AFP-Polk County Chapter, Lakeland Vision, United Way of Central Florida, Estate Planning Council, EMERGE Lakeland, and CampFire USA.

According to Porter, “We are very proud to hire one of our own graduates. She has a deep appreciation for the mission of Polk State, and the respect that she has earned in our community will serve her well as she strengthens our relationships with our supporters.”

Polk State College has been serving central Florida since 1964 and welcomes almost 20,000 students a year in credit and workforce training programs, including associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. For more information about Polk State College, visit Polk.edu.