Polk State student leaders meet with Polk County Legislative Delegation in Tallahassee
Polk State College students from the Winter Haven Campus, Lakeland Campus, and Polk State JD Alexander Center in Lake Wales were bursting with excitement to share their college experiences with members of the Polk County Legislative Delegation during the 2019 Legislative Days event in Tallahassee.
Students, recent alumni, and Student Activities and Leadership Office (SALO) coordinators toured the Florida Capitol, networked with peers from other Florida College System institutions, and met with members of the Polk County Legislative Delegation, who were equally excited to sit down with Polk State’s students and President Angela Garcia Falconetti.
“Florida’s state colleges play a very important role in our education system,” Senator Tom Lee said. “Your institution is an important piece of the puzzle.”
Students couldn’t agree more. They shared with Senator Lee and Representatives Melony Bell, Colleen Burton, Sam Killebrew, and Josie Tomkow the opportunities they continue to receive thanks to Polk State’s advisors, convenient locations, and atmosphere that feels like a family.
Kaylee Lofton, a Frostproof resident pursuing an Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education and Management at the Polk State JD Alexander Center, explained how advisors at the Lake Wales location positively impact the lives of students who may not otherwise have guidance or access to resources. The Center serves approximately 1,100 students each year.
“Our advisors play a very important role in mapping out our educational plans, making sure we are on track from our first classes through graduation,” said Lofton, who serves as Vice President of the Lake Wales Student Government Association (SGA). “I left my first meeting with my advisor with no questions unanswered, and I want all students to have great experiences like I have had.”
Students explained that supporting Polk State’s request for $2.5 million in recurring operational support to assist in further reducing Polk State’s student-to-advisor ratio would allow advisors more time to counsel students through meaningful academic and career planning.
“Our advisors do an amazing job,” Polk State Lakeland Gateway to College Collegiate High School student Giselle Araujo said. “What we need are more advisors to assist our college’s diverse population of students so that they stay on track to achieving their goals and degrees.”
“Our advisors do an amazing job. What we need are more advisors to assist our college’s diverse population of students so that they stay on track to achieving their goals and degrees.”
— Giselle Ajaujo, Polk State Lakeland Gateway to College Collegiate High School
At Polk State, 75 percent of students attend part time, the average student age is 25, and 52 percent of students are the first generation in their families to attend college. This means many students are balancing full-time jobs, raising families, and other responsibilities with their studies, and may not have the resources, support system, or experienced mentors to help them navigate college.
Whetchina Jean is a first-generation-in-college student who achieved a Polk State Associate in Arts degree in December 2017 through dual enrollment. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management with a concentration in Healthcare Administration.
“My advisor helped and cared for me so much that I felt more like her daughter than a student because she was there for me every step of the way,” Jean explained. “When I worked in the College’s Admissions Office, I saw students come in with no idea where to start and leave motivated with the information they need to succeed after meeting with their advisors.”
Members of the Polk County Legislative Delegation were quite receptive to the students’ input, sharing that they too have benefited from Florida’s state colleges.
Senator Lee attended Hillsborough Community College, Representative Tomkow attended Santa Fe College, and Representative Bell attended Polk State before moving on to the university level to achieve higher degrees.
“I understand the importance of our state colleges, including what they stand for and what they do for our communities,” said Representative Tomkow, who encouraged students to continue using their voices to influence positive changes. “People may underestimate us because we are young, they may think we don’t have the life experience that it takes, but they don’t know what we’ve been through, they don’t know what we know, and we need to use our voices for the proper reasons.”
Representative Bell related to the students in a similar way, explaining how it took nearly 10 years to achieve her Associate in Arts degree as she took one class a semester while working and raising her two daughters.
She served on the Fort Meade City Commission for 14 years, including four terms as mayor, and on the Polk County Board of County Commissioners for eight years before assuming her position with the Florida House of Representatives in November.
“Representative Bell is a role model and real-life example to never give up on your future,” Falconetti said.
Representative Burton shared a similar piece of advice.
“Celebrate incremental moments and achievements along the way, and keep moving forward on your path,” she encouraged the students.
She also shared with them her dedication to ensuring students receive the assistance they need on their educational journeys.
“I’m passionate about getting you, the students, through your paths, and I am equally passionate about making sure future students you will hire to work for your companies one day will be ready with the skills and education they need to be successful,” she said.
Representative Killebrew encouraged students to stay on the forefront of advocacy for their state colleges, sharing that the best way for constituents to encourage state college funding is to contact their legislators and voice their support.
“Polk State is a great school for our community, and I’m glad you are having your voices heard,” he said.
“Polk State is a great school for our community, and I’m glad you are having your voices heard.”
— Representative Sam Killebrew
Students thanked the members of the Polk County Legislative Delegation for their time, highlighting how their support of the College continues to benefit Polk County.
Seventy percent of Polk State students stay in Polk County after graduating and, on average, have wages 2.3 times higher than the average entry-level wage for Polk County. Additionally, 80 percent of Polk State students graduate with zero student-loan debt. Paired with the College’s 96.9 percent job-placement and continuing-education rate, Polk State students are set for success.
“The majority of students who graduate from Polk stay in Polk, meaning that your investment in our College is an investment in our entire community,” Araujo said.