
Business-minded grads top Polk State Lakeland Collegiate’s 2026 class

Polk State Lakeland Collegiate High School’s top two graduates each have big career dreams – both in business. Troy Xiong and Conner Davidson were the top two graduates in Lakeland Collegiate’s 2026 class. Xiong, the…

Priority registration open for Polk State’s Fall 2026 Semester

Enrollment for the Fall 2026 Semester began today with priority registration for students who have completed at least 50% of their program requirements. This includes 12-week, 16-week and Fastrack sessions. Open registration will start on…

Polk State’s PTK chapters win 30+ awards

Polk State College’s two Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) National Honor Society chapters combined for more than 30 regional and international awards this spring, priding themselves on personal development as well as community service projects, focused…

From propane to jet fuel: Polk State Aerospace grad goes from hot air balloons to planes

With big flight dreams, Polk State College Aerospace student Marissa Vereb has already spent a lot of time in the air – but not just in airplanes. She was the youngest pilot to participate in…

Lake Wales HS student earns Polk State degree as dual enrollment student

At Polk State College’s three collegiate high schools, most students graduate simultaneously with a diploma and Associate in Arts (AA) degree. For students who want to remain at their high school, however, it is also…

Polk State’s Eagle Educator Bridge Pathway Program supports School-Related Employee of the Year recipient in achieving bachelor’s degree

As a student growing up in Polk County Public Schools in Lakeland, Alexia Frihart remains grateful for the lasting impact that her teachers had on her. Set to graduate with her Polk State College Bachelor…

Summer camps return to Polk State for 2026

One longtime Polk State College summer tradition and another that is rapidly growing will return this year to keep young minds and bodies engaged while school is out of session. For the first time, Polk…

Polk State sets former teen mom up for success in business, philanthropy

At the age of 19, Simone McFarlane-Tucker was a teenage mom with two children. Nineteen years later, she holds two Polk State College degrees, owns a business and runs a successful nonprofit. With children at…

Polk State students help local factory employees improve English speaking skills

A collaborative effort among Polk State College, Leadership Winter Haven and Cardinal Equipment Services recently resulted in students helping employees develop skills that could pay dividends long-term. Professor Carol Martinson’s College Composition I class, which…

Polk State Nursing earns top spot in Florida thanks to investments from state and healthcare partners

Polk State College’s Nursing Program ranks among the top Associate in Science in Nursing programs in Florida when evaluated by both first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate and program size, boasting a remarkable 97.4% first-time licensure pass…


