Polk State alumna graduates from medical school, heads to emergency medicine residency as new doctor
Dr. Jennifer Ruiz never imagined that her journey from dual-enrollment classes at Polk State College to earning her medical degree would include studying medicine on a Caribbean island. But the College alumna, who graduated from…
Recent graduate becomes Lakeland Collegiate’s first National Merit Scholar
Less than a month after graduating from Polk State Lakeland Collegiate High School, Madison Dolan has made history. On June 3, Dolan was recognized as a winner of a National Merit Scholarship – the first…
Polk State Education grad earns Teacher of the Year at Scott Lake Elementary
Polk State College alumna Courtney Bedsole has been a teacher for just two years in Polk County Public Schools. At Scott Lake Elementary School, she has made an immediate impact. A fourth-grade teacher, Bedsole was…
59 Polk State students named to 2025-26 FCSAA All-Academic Team
A 2025-2026 Academic Year that saw Polk State College accomplish many things has culminated in 59 Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) All-Academic Team recognitions for the College’s athletes and members of the Speech and…
Polk State OTA extends 2026 application deadline through June
The Polk State College Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program will extend its 2026 application period through June 30. Polk State OTA’s graduates boasted greater than an 89% three-year aggregate pass rate on the National Board for Certification…
Polk State Athletics 2025-26 in review: Women’s superlatives
It was another exciting year for Polk State Athletics. Throughout the course of the athletic year, however, there were players, moments and performances that stood out above the rest. As Polk State looks forward to…
Polk State Athletics 2025-26 in review: Men’s superlatives
It was another exciting year for Polk State Athletics. Throughout the course of the athletic year, however, there were players, moments and performances that stood out above the rest. As Polk State looks forward to…
Polk State encourages preparedness ahead of 2026 hurricane season
The 2026 hurricane season begins June 1, and Polk State College officials encourage students, faculty and staff to be prepared. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a below average…
Summer hours in effect for some Polk State services
The Summer 2026 Semester is underway at Polk State College and some of the College’s resources and services will have shorter hours or are closed until the fall. Beginning this week, the Polk State Bookstore, located…
Polk State Chain of Lakes’ top grads to stay in Central Florida
Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School’s top two graduates will remain in the broader Central Florida region but will head different directions on Interstate 4. Valedictorian David Bonner will head west to the…