
Single mom of five earns Polk State degree after 20+ years

It will be 22 years after she first stepped foot on a college campus that Sheena Blake will have earned her Associate in Arts degree, but the 39-year-old single mother of five is just getting…

Graduating Polk State Education student takes over her kindergarten teacher’s classroom

Myla Bence always knew she wanted to be a teacher, but it is serendipity that led her to taking over her own kindergarten teacher’s classroom at Berkley Charter Elementary, where she secured a job before…

Polk State grad finishes what she started 30 years later

Jennifer Donnal was just a year out of high school when she first stepped foot on campus at Polk State College. Through trials and tribulations, Donnal is leaving the College 30 years later with a…

Polk State College to celebrate 126th commencement on May 5

Polk State College will host its 126th commencement with two ceremonies on Thursday, May 5, at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, where members of the Spring 2022 Graduating Class will celebrate with their families,…

Young mother and daughter of migrant workers becomes first in her family to achieve degree – a Polk State Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Maricela Morales comes from a family built on a strong work ethic. Her father, from Mexico, went to school only one day in his life before his family needed him to stay on the farm…

Polk State student from Haiti graduating with Criminal Justice degree is inspired to help other immigrants

When Rooloph Rene emigrated from Haiti in 2018, he had four years of law school in his home country under his belt but thought he may have to change career paths in the United States.…

Graduating Polk State Nursing student dedicates degree to sister with rare genetic syndrome

Lorann Pate started her Polk State College journey early as a Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School student, but her calling to become a nurse began even earlier as she has grown up watching her…

Graduating Polk State student motivated by her daughters to achieve not one, but two degrees

When Millicent Whitehead came to the U.S. in 2001, she received her General Educational Development (GED) high school equivalency diploma but wouldn’t revisit her academic goals for nearly 15 years. She didn’t think then that…

Polk State College will celebrate 125th commencement on December 9

Polk State College will host its 125th Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, where members of the Fall 2021 Graduating Class will walk the graduation stage amongst…

Polk State summer 2021 grads: Complete this survey for in-person graduation

Polk State College is excited to celebrate its summer 2021 graduates in December with commencement ceremonies at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. To plan accordingly and to help ensure the health and safety of…