Polk State Aerospace graduate goes from jumping out of planes to flying them — for Amazon
The extent of John Margaritondo’s experience in aviation when he enrolled in Polk State College’s Aerospace Program in 2016 was jumping out of planes as a machine gunner in the Marine Corps. Now he is…
Winter Haven Regional Airport is home to a team of Polk State Aerospace students & grads
When visiting the Winter Haven Regional Airport, there is a great chance of being greeted by a Polk State College student or alum, with the fixed-base operator’s team of technicians completely comprised of Polk State…
Polk State Aerospace student lands UPS Airlines internship and scholarship
If someone told Ismael Jimenez-Barreto three years ago that he would be interning with one of the largest cargo airlines in the world, he would have doubted them. He was an aeronautical university dropout working…
Aerospace holds first career fair
Polk State Aerospace held its first career fair Jan. 16, 2020, at Airside Center East in Lakeland. More than 100 attendees had the opportunity to discuss career options with 12 employers.
Back to school at 40 and graduating, Polk State Aerospace student gets to “do every day what I dreamed of as a kid”
Anthony Reynolds wanted to fly since childhood. At 6 years old, he told his aunt he aspired to become a pilot. At 17, he flew his first plane. But at 19, he decided to stay…
Polk State Aerospace to host Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Program open house
Polk State College’s Aerospace Program will host an open house Monday, Aug. 5, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Polk State Airside Center East in Lakeland at 2949 Airside Center Drive for prospective students…
Polk State Aerospace student spreads her wings as Winter Haven Regional Airport manager
Whether she’s tending to the needs of nearly 200 pilots, working on $6 million in airport improvement projects, or hosting dozens of hot air balloon aviators on her “days off,” Ashley Udick is successfully filling…
Polk State Aerospace hosting open house May 30
Polk State College’s Aerospace Program will host an open house at Airside Center – East in Lakeland on Thursday, May 30, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to provide prospective students with information about degree…
ExpressJet inspires Polk State students with visit from ERJ145
Rachel Thomas settled into the cockpit of an ERJ145, pushing buttons and taking selfies in the 50-passenger, twin-engine regional airliner that felt much different from the small, single-engine plane she navigated during her first solo…
Polk State College to launch aircraft dispatcher certification program
Polk State College is launching an aircraft dispatcher certification program in February 2019, directly responding to an industry need and offering an accelerated pathway for students to rewarding, high-wage careers. It will be the only…