
For Polk State Metallica Scholar, machining is a family affair

Chassidy Houchin is graduating this week with Polk State College’s first group of Metallica Scholars part of the Computer Numeric Control (CNC) Machining class supported by a Metallica’s All Within My Hands grant. For Houchin,…

Metallica Scholar: Polk State provides tangible skills that will never leave you

Jesse Williams worked a variety of trade jobs since graduating high school in 2010 and went back to school in 2018, when he enrolled in Polk State College’s Manual Machining Program. “It was a fairly…

Get There: Polk State partners with Florida Department of Education on workforce education initiative

Polk State College is excited to join forces with the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) on a new workforce education initiative aimed at raising awareness of short-term career and technical education programs. Get There Florida…

Polk State Masters of Machining: CNC grad fast tracks her success by learning a trade

For Darah Greenwald, college never seemed financially in reach and after one semester of taking general education courses, she realized that the traditional college route was not for her. Instead, she fast tracked her success…

Polk State Masters of Machining: CNC Machining grad finds his path as machinist

Robert Pettypiece is a successful machinist who found his path and high-wage career as a graduate of Polk State Corporate College’s Computer Numeric Control (CNC) Machining Program. He’ll admit that school was never his strong…

Manufacturing Day: Polk State and local manufacturers lead national effort locally

Polk State College, partnered with local manufacturers and high schools, will provide nearly 400 students with the opportunity to participate in Manufacturing Day with tours of leading manufacturers in Polk County. The national effort aims…

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…

Polk State gets high school students thinking about opportunities in the manufacturing field

Nearly 300 students from 11 high schools recently toured Polk County manufacturing facilities as part of Manufacturing Day in which they learn about Polk State College’s quality degree and workforce training programs that can put…

Polk State College, NASA partnership to send student work to space

Polk State College students are fabricating hardware for NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) to send to the International Space Station – a valuable experience, as well as an attractive resume addition, for those pursuing…

Rich Thompson remembered for forging partnerships that make Polk State Corporate College what it is today

Many remember Richard Thompson for his phrase: “I’m Rich and I live on Easy Street.” He really did live on Easy Street in Lake Wales, and Thompson’s favorite saying embodied his sense of humor, infectious…


