Polk State Dean Sylvester Little remembered for steadfast commitment to student success

Sylvester Little served Polk State College for more than half of the College’s history. Despite being retired for more than five years, his impact on Polk State was felt by many and is still present today.

During his time at Polk State from 1987 through 2020, Little served several roles – from his early days in the classroom to retiring as Dean of Student Services. Little passed away on Aug. 11 at the age of 69.

“When I first became associate dean, he trained me,” said Yulonda Bell, Polk State’s current Dean of Student Services. “He had the whole handbook in his head. Education was so important to him. He wanted to empower students of all backgrounds. That was his calling, his purpose.”

Polk State’s greatest ambassador

An advocate for students, Little’s presence was felt far and wide on Polk State’s campuses. He was heavily involved with the Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search programs as well as the STEM Club. Little also co-advised the Cultural Academic Vocational Experience (CAVE) Club.

“He really taught me how to be an advocate for students,” explained Melvin Thompson, Associate Vice President for Student Development and Institutional Compliance and founder of Polk State’s Student Activities and Leadership Office (SALO). “No one was more active in student life than Mr. Little. He was always concerned about making sure the culture of the College was where it should be. Whenever I had ideas early on in my career, he was always willing to be a listening ear.”

With more than three decades of service, Little impacted the lives of thousands of students. In some cases, he was involved from their onboarding to beyond graduation. In fact, it wasn’t unusual for Little to be invited to weddings and other life milestones of former students.

“Sylvester was the most outstanding ambassador Polk State ever had,” reflected Jude Ryan, Professor of English and Liberal Arts. “He took an interest in every person who crossed his path. Sylvester had a smile for everyone. On my first day at the College many years ago, he came to me just to say hello. We stood together and chatted, ended up laughing and I immediately felt welcome here.”

Many roles, same dedication

Little began his tenure at Polk State as an Education Specialist in December 1987 before becoming a Professional Counselor while teaching sociology classes in October 1989. He was promoted to Coordinator of Advising for the Fall 1996 Semester and held that position until 2011.

“When he was teaching, his classes filled up the first week,” Bell noted. “He was very powerful in this community, always advocating for young men and women and working to get them what they needed to further their education. Anything student-related, his fingerprints were all over it. He was always happy to show students the way.”

After six months as interim Supervisor of Counseling and Advising, Little was promoted to Associate Dean in July 2011. Three years later, Little took over as Dean of Student Services – a role he held until his retirement at the end of 2020.

“Dean Little dedicated more than 30 years of his life to higher education, but his impact cannot simply be measured by the number of years he served,” exclaimed Reggie Webb, Senior Vice President of Student Services and Campus Operations. “His true legacy is found in the countless students whose lives were changed because of his commitment to their success.”

Bell is proud to work out of the office that once belonged to Little. They met when she was a student in the early-1990s. Over 35 years as friends, Bell knew Little as an advisor, a colleague and a mentor.

“A lot of the practices I use today are things I learned from Dean Little,” Bell added. “He was so well-rounded. He was a great listener and a great peacemaker whenever there were disagreements. Even in retirement, he still advocated for students. I was proud to know someone so steadfast. Whatever he said he was going to do, he always did it.”

A lasting impact

Following his retirement, Little remained part of the Polk State community. He could often be seen at College luncheons, athletic events, camps and speaking engagements held on Polk State campuses.

“Sylvester seemed to know everyone in Polk County, and it seemed everyone knew him,” Ryan added. “And, as the cliche goes, to know him was to like him. His greatest talent was his ability to make everyone, regardless of their age or station, feel that they belonged, that they were important and that there were no problems that couldn’t be solved. Sylvester had charm but his greatest gift to others was his kindness. Everyone who ever knew Sylvester will remember him with warmth and know that they are better people for having known him.”

In addition to students, Little was also dedicated to his family. Outside of work, Little enjoyed traveling and learning about new places.

“Dean Little believed in the power of education to transform lives,” Webb shared. “He was a respected colleague, a dedicated educator and a servant leader who genuinely cared about the students and institution he served. His presence will certainly be missed, but his impact and legacy will go on forever.”

Like Bell, Webb, Ryan and Thompson, many members of Polk State’s dedicated faculty and staff who knew Little continue to use nuggets learned from him to serve the College. Those who are years removed from the College have also spoke fondly of him.

A 2009 Polk State graduate and Polk County Public Schools 2024-25 District 1 Teacher of the Year, Ronald Shell, mentioned Little among his mentors. Following Little’s passing, former Polk State Head Basketball Coach Matt Furjanic called the former dean and late Advisor Jeanette McDougal “blessings” to Polk State. Several other graduates shared stories of Little’s impact online.

“Sylvester was kind, compassionate, empathetic, and, most importantly, he always put students first,” Furjanic shared on social media following the news of Little’s passing. “He was a mentor to me and someone I could always count on. Every player I coached at Polk State went through his office, and I knew they were in good hands.”

For Little, the value of education was learned from a young age and articulated through his final years. A lifelong Lakeland resident and a 1977 graduate of what was then Polk Community College, Little earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Florida Southern College in 1979 before achieving his master’s from Nova Southeastern University.

“Dean Little’s impact on Polk State College is woven into the very fabric of our institution,” said Polk State President Anastasios Kamoutsas. “For more than three decades, he dedicated himself to students and to helping them see what is possible through education. His service has undoubtedly left a lasting legacy.”

Little will be laid to rest today, Friday, Aug. 21, at Lakeland Memorial Gardens following an 11 a.m. celebration of life service at New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Lakeland.

“So many in this community are sad to learn of his passing,” Bell concluded. “We lost a Polk State and community legend. But with all the lives he touched, I know he’s smiling down.”