Polk State College Foundation Accepting Scholarship Applications
The Polk State College Foundation will accept scholarship applications from Feb. 1 through March 15. This year, the Foundation will award more than $600,000 in endowed scholarships. Scholarships are available for students already attending the…
Visual Arts Alumnus: “Polk State Was a Beginning, and Without It, I Wouldn’t Be Where I am Today”
In the 50-year history of Polk State College, there are thousands of stories of alumni who have achieved success in the health sciences or public safety or business. More rare are stories like that of Sam Romero,…
Respiratory Care Alumna Says Program Allowed Her to Start a Career and Family on Her Terms
Ammany Shihaibar knew where she wanted to end up in life, and with help from Polk State, she got there, right on time. “If it hadn’t been for Polk State and the Respiratory Care program,”…
Polk Nursing Alum Delivers “I Actually Do Care” to Patients at LRMC’s Emergency Department
When Greg Baisden thinks about the difference he gets to make for patients every day, he thinks about an elderly woman, her daughter, and his cell phone. Not too long ago, Baisden, a Registered Nurse…
Twanna Dewdney, Two-Time Polk Grad, Uses Salon as AIDS Test Site, Place of Hope
Yes, she cuts hair and does makeup for a living, but the words “stylist” or “cosmetologist” don’t come close to describing Twanna “T-Fay” Dewdney’s work. “Advocate” is much more accurate. Dewdney, a two-time Polk State…
Polk State Grad Finds Fulfillment Each Day in Work as Paramedic
Two pivotal years and a Polk State degree set Margaret Orozco on a path she never thought possible, and in following it, she’s found fulfillment she never could have imagined. “I love coming to work,” said…
Polk Dean Focused on Accessibility: “We Have to Help Students See Themselves Here”
For Polk State’s Sylvester Little, education — literally overnight — saved him from poverty. In the decades since, he’s helped countless students believe in their own potential, achieve their goals, and transform their lives. He’ll continue…
Polk State Alumnus Receives Scholarship to Study at Juilliard School
This fall, like millions of students across the country, Polk State alumnus AJ Stillabower will be heading back to the classroom. Only it will be a classroom at the renowned Juilliard School. And he will…
Farewell Concert: Polk State’s Fource of Attraction to Give Final Performance, Proceeds Benefit Music Scholarships
Polk State College will host a farewell concert for Fource of Attraction, the popular student-quartet whose harmonies have entertained audiences in Polk County and beyond for two years. All four members of the ensemble —…
Polk PTA Alumnus: Don’t Be Afraid to Make a Career Change
The scariest day of Paul Canady’s life was the day he handed in his resignation, officially quitting his job as a bus mechanic. His heart pounded. His palms were sweaty. But something inside him told…