Back to school at 40 and graduating, Polk State Aerospace student gets to “do every day what I dreamed of as a kid”
Anthony Reynolds wanted to fly since childhood. At 6 years old, he told his aunt he aspired to become a pilot. At 17, he flew his first plane. But at 19, he decided to stay…
Polk State honors service dog that helped alum through college journey
While Allen Nash, like many students, credits extraordinary faculty and staff for helping him along his Polk State College journey, he also has a furry, wet-nosed friend with a docile demeanor to thank. Nash and…
Polk State internship jumpstarts career at Florida’s Natural Growers
Oscar Gonzalez has always looked up to his father – a manager of migrant workers who emigrated from Mexico to provide a better life for his family. Gonzalez grew up helping with migrant work in…
Injured NFL prospect gets fresh start at Polk State
George Williams knew from a young age what he wanted to do in life — he wanted to play football. Williams attended college on an athletics scholarship and became an NFL prospect. He was a…
Polk State alum from Nigeria achieves dreams and medical degree
When Dr. Ojochide Shaibu moved from Nigeria to the United States, he was armed with a dream to serve humanity through medicine and only $70 in his pocket. “I knew what I wanted to do,…
Polk State Aerospace student spreads her wings as Winter Haven Regional Airport manager
Whether she’s tending to the needs of nearly 200 pilots, working on $6 million in airport improvement projects, or hosting dozens of hot air balloon aviators on her “days off,” Ashley Udick is successfully filling…
Polk State biology professor enrolls in EMS Program to become better instructor for students, finishes top of his class
Polk State College biology and physiology professor Jeffrey Orasky has taught at the College for nearly seven years and many students from Polk State’s Emergency Medical Services Program have come through his classroom. To learn…
Graduate with disability: Polk State is a godsend for students like me
Like most high school students, graduating felt bittersweet for Hope LaMond, who was nervous about college but eager to gain some freedom. She was no stranger to Polk State College, where at six years old…
Polk State Lakeland Collegiate High School student is heading to MIT
Sergio Perez will receive his Polk State Associate in Arts degree before his high school diploma is even in hand, and once he has both, the first-generation-in-college student is heading to Massachusetts Institute of Technology…
Polk State student is heading to Stetson University’s prestigious Bonner Program
Andrea Gutierrez didn’t always want to go to college, but now she’s heading to Stetson University’s competitive and prestigious Bonner Program with a $40,000 scholarship. A first-generation Mexican-American and the first in her family to…