
Polk State mourns loss of Carol Jenkins Barnett

Polk State College is mourning the loss of Carol Jenkins Barnett, former chair and past president of Publix Supermarkets Charities, and daughter of Publix founder, George W. Jenkins. Jenkins Barnett and her husband, Barney, have…

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.…

Update on Polk State JD Alexander Center in Lake Wales

On Monday afternoon, a student at the Polk State JD Alexander Center in Lake Wales was threatened by an individual. Due to the nature of the threat, the suspect was escorted off campus, law enforcement…

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…

Polk State cancels $1.2 million in student debt

Polk State College announced that it is eliminating $1.2 million in student debt to alleviate financial burdens for students brought on by the COVID-19 public health emergency. Nearly 1,300 students who were enrolled between March…

Polk State College extends the deadline to pay for spring classes

Polk State College is extending the deadline to pay for spring classes to Monday, December 6, 2021. Students who have registered for the Spring 2022 Semester and had a payment deadline of December 3, will…

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 remembers John Anderson for his instrumental impact on music education at the College and beyond

It is nearly impossible to think about Polk State College’s Music Program without also thinking of John Anderson. He served the College for 20 years and saw the Music Program through exponential growth and success.…

Polk State OTA grad awarded for paying it forward to students

Lidia Ramirez recently received an Award of Excellence from the Florida Occupational Therapy Education Consortium for service to the field, including her commitment to providing Polk State Occupational Therapy Assistant students with clinical opportunities, especially…