
Polk State professor receives national AACC Faculty Distinction Recognition

Polk State College Professor of Biology Lisa Smelser is making a difference both inside and outside the classroom, and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) recently presented her with the 2019 Dale P. Parnell…

Polk State celebrates 120th graduating class

Polk State College celebrated nearly 700 graduates Thursday during the College’s 120th commencement ceremony, including Polk State’s first Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education class. Graduates, their families, and guests listened to motivational messages…

Polk State’s youngest and oldest graduates have more in common than you may think

They have 55 years between them, but Polk State College’s youngest and oldest spring 2019 graduates have more in common than you may think. Miles Carson, 17, and Toni Hession, 72, will receive Bachelor of…

Polk State graduate wants to be there for students like teachers were there for her

Growing up, Heather Monteleone didn’t have a strong female role model in her life, so she looked up to her teachers. She recalls one buying her a jacket when it was cold outside, and another…

RP Funding Center reaches capacity for Polk State’s May 2 graduation

Polk State College’s 120th commencement ceremony that will take place May 2 at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland has reached capacity as determined by RP Funding Center guidelines. Tickets are no longer available. More…

Polk State Lakeland Collegiate High School student is heading to MIT

Sergio Perez will receive his Polk State Associate in Arts degree before his high school diploma is even in hand, and once he has both, the first-generation-in-college student is heading to Massachusetts Institute of Technology…

Polk State student is heading to Stetson University’s prestigious Bonner Program

Andrea Gutierrez didn’t always want to go to college, but now she’s heading to Stetson University’s competitive and prestigious Bonner Program with a $40,000 scholarship. A first-generation Mexican-American and the first in her family to…

Polk State Fire Science Coordinator designs Florida Fallen Firefighter Memorial

Jim Davis is well known for rigorously training highly-skilled professionals for central Florida fire departments, and that includes instilling in firefighters the importance of honor. After 42 years in the fire service, 30 years as…

Professor nationally recognized for excellence in teaching says she learns so much from her students

When Penny Morris isn’t busy getting Polk State College students and faculty across the country excited about mathematics, she’s trying to figure out where to keep all the awards she has accumulated for her dedication…

Polk State to celebrate 120th commencement with Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education’s first graduating class

Polk State College’s first Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education students will graduate during the College’s 120th commencement May 2 with more than 650 of their Polk State peers who are expected to participate…