January 11, 2011 - Officials at Polk State College in Winter Haven and the University of South Florida Polytechnic in Lakeland announced today that a USF Poly administrator has accepted a post at Polk State College.  After five years in public affairs at the University, David Steele has accepted an appointment as Associate Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs at Polk State and will report directly to President Eileen Holden. Steele will begin his new post on January 31, 2011. 

Steele has most recently served as USF Poly’s Director of External Affairs. His portfolio over the years has included marketing, government relations, media relations, strategic communications, community affairs, and development.

According to Holden, the newly revised position at Polk State will be responsible for marketing, public and community relations, government affairs and related functions. "We are very excited to welcome David to our team. His professional experience and educational background fit perfectly with Polk State College’s mission to provide access to affordable and quality public higher education in Polk County. We will leverage David’s experience to strengthen our outreach and advocacy efforts."

Marshall Goodman, Regional Chancellor of USF Polytechnic, offered praise and support for his departing aide. “David’s deep affection for our mission and the communities we serve have made quite an impact on this institution. He is ‘easy to like and hard to forget’ – and I’m delighted we are keeping him in the region and will continue to have him as a partner in his new role.”

Steele holds a B.A. from Ashland University and an M.A. from the University of Notre Dame. He is a doctoral student at the University of South Florida in Tampa. His background includes executive posts in community and economic development as well as higher education. He is a graduate of Leadership Savannah, Leadership Lakeland, and Leadership Polk. Steele’s wife, Shannon Lanier, is the executive director of Lakeland Vision, and they reside in Lakeland.