Polk State student never gave up on education, reaches graduation with Complete Florida Scholarship
Mercedes Marshall’s nearly 10-year higher education journey marked with working full time and raising her family as a single mother will culminate this month with the achievement of her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice…
Polk State Criminal Justice grad overcomes doubts, obstacles with support of professors
Amanda Rivera comes from a family of law enforcement officials and always aspired to a career in criminal justice, but her path was not always clear as she had to overcome personal doubts and challenges…
Polk State Criminal Justice grad with diverse experience finds success as investigator
John Traas comes from a family of law enforcement professionals, but it was through his own education, internships, and career that he learned the large diversity of opportunities that exist in the criminal justice field.…
Criminal Justice student: Polk State saved my life
At Polk State College, Tanya Kozak has been told she can be anything she wants to be after years of being told she was nothing. Kozak received her Polk State Associate in Arts degree in…
5 questions with Capt. Bart Davis, director of KCTIPS
The Polk State Kenneth C. Thompson Institute of Public Safety (KCTIPS) has a new director and he has hit the ground running. Polk County Sheriff’s Office’s Capt. Bart Davis was recently appointed to oversee the…
Weigh career options at Criminal Justice Teach-In
Polk State College’s Criminal Justice Teach-In is an annual event in which Criminal Justice professionals speak to students about their careers and experiences. The public is invited to attend this free event, which will include…
Pakistani Delegation Visits Polk State on Community College Tour
Sixteen Pakistanis who are either administrators for post-secondary vocational and technical institutions or officials with higher education planning responsibilities for community colleges in Pakistan toured Polk State College on Tuesday to learn about the U.S.…
Public Safety Students Get Real-Life Lessons Thanks to Local Businesses
Polk State Kenneth C. Thompson Institute of Public Safety Law Enforcement Academy cadets participated one recent morning in traffic-stop simulations – lessons that are now more realistic thanks to some local donors. Rick’s Bar-B-Q of…
Honor and Sacrifice: Public Safety Student, Kaitlyn Gladhill, Awarded the Michael Callin Memorial Scholarship
The legacy of Michael Callin can be summarized in two words: honor and sacrifice. Michael, a deputy with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, was killed in the line of duty in 2006. To honor his…
Polk State Criminal Justice Teach-In Is April 22; Topics Include Social Media, Active Shooters
Polk State College will host its third-annual Criminal Justice Teach-In at its state-of-the art Center for Public Safety on April 22. “This daylong event gives students and the public a glance at the real-world life…