Polk State College and community celebrate President Falconetti
The Polk State Winter Haven Fine Arts Building overflowed with students, faculty, staff and community members on Friday as they celebrated Dr. Angela Garcia Falconetti and wished her farewell as she assumes the interim presidency at the University of North Florida.
Dr. Falconetti’s nearly nine years as Polk State’s fifth president were highlighted by her many accomplishments and lasting legacy. She was sworn in as an honorary deputy of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, recognized by the Polk County Board of County Commissioners and honored with a key to the City of Winter Haven as well as a proclamation from the City Commission.
“Dr. Falconetti has served with unwavering dedication, keen vision and a commitment to excellence that will carry our College forward,” Polk State District Board of Trustees Chair Ann Barnhart shared. “We celebrate not only what has been accomplished during her tenure…, but also the enduring foundation she has laid. The momentum Polk State enjoys today is a direct result of her visionary leadership and steadfast service.”
Barnhart spotlighted the more than $106 million in legislative funding allocated to Polk State since 2017, as well as the College’s decennial reaffirmation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges with no findings and the many programs that boast 100% licensure pass rates.
Dr. Martha Santiago, Chair of the Polk County Board of County Commissioners, emphasized Dr. Falconetti’s impact on the community. She was joined by Commissioner Becky Troutman as they presented a letter on behalf of the Board.
“We offer our sincere appreciation for the dedication, commitment and passion you have brought to the position of president…,” Dr. Santiago read. “You have developed a robust building expansion strategy, forged partnerships with local municipalities and businesses, as well as with county government officials.”
“You have made the welfare and needs of students and staff a priority while you have continued to expand the services Polk State offers.”
Most notable may be the development of the Polk State Haines City-Davenport Campus – a dream of the College’s since a 2006 needs assessment brought to fruition in 2022 with an initial allocation of $13.8 million for the project’s first phase.
Dr. Falconetti has also brought national attention to Polk State with the development of the National Public Safety Innovation Academy (NIA) launched in 2023 in partnership with Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
“When our President came in, I said, ‘I have this vision…, there’s not a STEM school for administrators in the policing world. I want this to be a county, a state, a regional and a national school. She said, ‘I think it’s great – students are always first,’” he said. “This program I worked for years to get off the ground never got off the ground until our President got it off the ground, and now we have a nationally recognized finishing school for police administrators…, in Polk County.”
“There have been lives saved and people protected because of the technology that we have taught at that National [Public Safety] Innovation Academy that Angela made happen,” Judd exclaimed.
With that, Judd extended the honor to Dr. Falconetti of being sworn in as an honorary deputy of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Dr. Falconetti recited the oath and was pinned by Steve Lester, Judd’s Chief of Staff, a member of the Polk State District Board of Trustees and a Distinguished Alumnus of the College.
Under Dr. Falconetti’s leadership, Polk State also developed close partnerships with local municipalities, including the Leadership Development in Public Administration (LDPA) Program that launched in 2020 and will graduate its seventh cohort in March.
“Angela’s work here, particularly with the City of Winter Haven and our workforce development, has been astronomical,” City Manager T. Michael Stavres said. “The advancement of our workforce through the collaboration with the College could not have been accomplished without you standing beside us.”
Winter Haven Mayor Brian Yates read a proclamation on behalf of the City Commission.
“Dr. Falconetti has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the greater Winter Haven community through sustained civic leadership including as Chair of the Winter Haven Economic Development Council’s Executive Board of Directors, Chair of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and as a member of the Winter Haven Hospital Board of Directors and Clinical Excellence Committee, helping to advance economic development, workforce readiness, healthcare and overall quality of life for area residents.”
Stavres and Yates presented Dr. Falconetti with the key to the city.
“When you come back home, you can always get in through the front door,” Yates said.
Lastly, the three Student Government Association (SGA) presidents representing the Winter Haven and Lakeland campuses, as well as the JD Alexander Center in Lake Wales, provided remarks on behalf of the student body.
“She made it clear the students come first,” JD Alexander Center SGA President Subrina Akter said. “[She] made me feel seen, valued and genuinely respected. [She] reminded me that true leadership doesn’t overlook people when things get difficult – it centers them.
“Dr. Falconetti consistently led with that kind of awareness, grace and care. Because of her, many of us found confidence within ourselves and our voices. Thank you for choosing students first even in the hardest moments and for leaving behind a legacy that will continue through us.”
The program concluded with a performance by the Polk State Concert Choir.
“Students remain my driving force,” Dr. Falconetti shared. “I am grateful for the College community members who serve our students with heart. Together, we have made and will continue to make great strides for higher education and workforce development.”