New Polk State Lake Wales Director to build upon success at JDA Center

Von McGriff’s go-getter attitude and fuchsia fashion are enough to energize students and colleagues, but it’s her creative thinking and heart for the community that will aid her in “reinvigorating” Polk State College’s JD Alexander Center in Lake Wales.

McGriff assumed the role of Director of the Polk State JD Alexander Center on January 3. In two weeks, she has developed ideas to support enrollment, met with many community stakeholders, and found her newest lunch spot at The Ranch in downtown Lake Wales.

She has also planned an open house for January 25 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Center, 152 E. Central Ave. Information about academic programs, financial aid, and scholarships will be available, as well as assistance with admission and registration.

“This is a welcoming community that values the important role Polk State plays as a critical provider of higher education and workforce training in Lake Wales,” McGriff said. “My No.1 goal is to reinvigorate our Center, build upon its success, and ensure JDA remains the community’s school.”

The College opened the JD Alexander Center in 2009 to expand much-needed access to a Polk State education. In a County where 38% of residents are transportation disadvantaged and at a campus where 44% of students receive federal need-based financial aid, Polk State’s presence in Lake Wales is critical as the next nearest location is nearly 30 miles roundtrip.

“This is a welcoming community that values the important role Polk State plays as a critical provider of higher education and workforce training in Lake Wales.”

The Center provides general education courses for the Associate in Arts degree and serves students in dual enrollment, predominantly from Lake Wales High School and Frostproof Middle-Senior High School. McGriff plans to expand offerings to include Business and Education courses. She is also brainstorming partnerships. For example, the Center does not have a laboratory to offer science lab courses, but McGriff is seeking creative ways to provide lab components at a nearby facility so that students do not need to travel to Winter Haven or Lakeland to complete these degree requirements.

“We want to continue to eliminate barriers for our students and bring more opportunities to this area of our County,” McGriff explained. “We have a strong foundation of success here at our Center and I am committed to expanding and enhancing opportunities for students.”

That includes building upon Polk State’s initiatives as a Hispanic-Serving Institution to provide outreach and support for Polk County’s most rapidly growing population. In Lake Wales, the population is 27.5% Hispanic, mirroring Polk State’s student population which is 28% Hispanic. McGriff plans to increase the number of Spanish-speaking staff members in Lake Wales and host informational sessions for Hispanic students and families.

McGriff has nearly 20 years of experience in education. She joined Polk State College in 2011 as a faculty member teaching Developmental English and Reading. In 2015, she assumed the role of Department Coordinator for the First-Year Experience and College Success, working to increase the enrollment and retention of first-time-in-college students.

The Polk County native resides in North Lakeland but isn’t a stranger to her new “home” at JDA. She is a proud graduate of Leadership Lake Wales Class XXVI and is partnering with the City of Lakes Wales to review its agreement with Citrus Connection to address transportation needs for residents and students. She also completed the American Association of Community Colleges John E. Roueche Future Leaders Institute. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management from Warner University and a master’s degree in Mental Health from Webster University. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Organizational Leadership.

“We have a strong foundation of success here at our Center and I am committed to expanding and enhancing opportunities for students.”

McGriff shared that it is “my students and my leaders who keep me going.”

“My students help me help them, and that’s a great feeling. I get to exercise being a mentor, a counselor, a coach, a mom. They keep me aligned with my purpose,” she explained. “Then there are my leaders. I am grateful for President [Angela Garcia] Falconetti and Provost [Amy] Bratten – I learn so much from them.”

With her current read, The Heart of a Leader: Insights on the Art of Influence by Ken Blanchard, propped up on her desk beside her, McGriff offered some words of inspiration for students and peers.

“Surround yourself with good people who can motivate you to see the glass half full,” she shared. “People seeing in me what I don’t always see in myself has helped me see the bigger picture.”

When she’s not working, McGriff enjoys spending time with her daughter and 4-year-old grandson, Daxx. She doesn’t consider herself a “foodie,” but likes to try new restaurants and hang out in “quaint spots,” like The Ranch. She listens to The Rachel Hollis Podcast and Christian music, as well as some R&B and rap which, as an English professor, she appreciates for its poetic nature. For those inspired by McGriff’s acute sense of style, she frequents Nordstrom and finds outfit inspo on Instagram.

“I want our community and students to know that we are back, we are growing, and We are Polk.”

To meet her in person, prospective students and community members are invited to attend the Polk State JD Alexander Center’s open house on January 25 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 152 E. Central Ave. in Lake Wales.

“I want our community and students to know that we are back, we are growing, and We are Polk,” McGriff said.