Matina Wagner is a Business faculty member with more than 20 years of experience in higher education, workforce development and community engagement. She specialized in career readiness and in building strong partnerships with business and industry,

Wagner’s career prior to Polk State includes diverse roles with the U.S. Air Force overseas, municipal government, management at Walt Disney World and private consulting. She has extensive experience in student services where she has guided students in enrollment, advising, career counseling, internships and professional development.

Professional Experience

During five years as a civilian employee with the 86th Combat Support Group/Morale, Recreation & Welfare, she advanced within the Non-Appropriated Funds Management Branch (NAFFMB) from a food service position to ultimately supervising operations at the Auto Hobby Shops on Ramstein Air Base and Kapaun Air Station in Germany. After returning to the U.S., she transitioned into utilities with the City of Clearwater then solid waste management and then moved on to Reedy Creek Energy Services, Inc., the public utility serving Walt Disney World. There, she spearheaded the resort’s first property-wide recycling and waste minimization programs. She went on to serve as a consultant to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on solid waste management.

As an educator, she has taught courses in human resources, leadership, career readiness, general business, communications and workforce training. Wagner is a certified SHRM-SCP professional and an active member of SHRM and Mid-Florida SHRM where she currently serves as director for Certification, College Relations and Professional Development. She is also a member of the Florida Association of Colleges (Florida ACE) and the Association of Florida Colleges (AFC).

Community and College Service

Wagner has contributed her expertise to numerous education and workforce development committees. These include multiple Chamber of Commerce leadership groups, the Winter Haven Public Education Partnership, PTSA organizations, multiple Polk State College advisory committees and the Polk County Public Schools Academies Advisory Committee. She also serves as a volunteer for multiple groups.

Education and Honors

Matina earned a Master of Arts in Resource Development from Webster University, a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Technology from the University of South Florida and an Associate of Arts degree from St. Petersburg College. She believes in life-long learning and regularly attends workshops and seminars to expand her skills toolbox and remain current with industry trends.

Her contributions and achievements have been recognized with several honors including the USAF Sustained Superior Service Award, SWANA Excellence Award, Florida ACE Presidents’ Award and the Brownlee Award, plus numerous volunteer recognitions. She has also published articles on recycling and waste minimization and authored a workbook on waste reduction for businesses.