From Polk State to Harvard? Recent Grad Proves It Is Possible
A recent Polk State grad will continue his college education at Harvard University. Josh Burgin, who graduated with his Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management degree in December, has been accepted to Harvard’s…
For Polk Respiratory Care Alumna, A Cough Inspired a New Career
Terri Dixon remembers the exact moment — or rather, the exact cough — that changed the course of her whole life. She was working as a phlebotomist, performing another routine blood draw, when a patient suddenly started…
Polk Radiography Alumnus: “If You’re Afraid to Go to School, Don’t Shortchange Yourself. You Can Do It.”
Rosevelt Nheik enrolled at Polk State College figuring he had nothing to lose. As it turned out, he gained more than he could ever have imagined. “I just really wanted to do more, to be…
He’s Never in the Spotlight, James Sharp Has Played Important Role at Fine Arts Theatre for 27 Years
In the world of theatre, it’s the actors and directors who get their names illuminated on the marquee, who get to bask in the spotlight at the end of each show. Always in the shadows…
Polk State-Trained Paramedic: “The Patient Always Comes First”
Gov. Rick Scott has declared Jan. 5-9 First Responder Appreciation Week. Polk State College commends and thanks all those working in the public safety field. Here, News@Polk highlights Jared vanHoek, a firefighter/paramedic with Polk County…
Visual Arts Alumnus: “Polk State Was a Beginning, and Without It, I Wouldn’t Be Where I am Today”
In the 50-year history of Polk State College, there are thousands of stories of alumni who have achieved success in the health sciences or public safety or business. More rare are stories like that of Sam Romero,…
Polk PTA Alumnus Jorge Espinosa: Restoring Functionality and Hope
While studying at Polk State College, Jorge Espinosa learned all the textbook knowledge for his new career as a physical therapist assistant, but more importantly, he learned when to put his textbooks aside. “I remember…
Polk State Winter Haven’s Newest Librarian: Don’t Even Try to Judge This Book By Its Cover
Disclaimer: News@Polk does not support the use of clichés, but in this case, we couldn’t resist. They say you can’t judge a book by its cover, and that’s definitely the case with Jarrod Jones, the…
Polk’s Associate Dean of Student Services Yulonda Bell Has Built a Career on Putting Students First
It’s a weekday morning and Yulonda Bell has agreed to be interviewed about her new position as Polk State Winter Haven’s associate dean of student services. But sitting down and talking about herself — frankly, she…
Respiratory Care Alumna Says Program Allowed Her to Start a Career and Family on Her Terms
Ammany Shihaibar knew where she wanted to end up in life, and with help from Polk State, she got there, right on time. “If it hadn’t been for Polk State and the Respiratory Care program,”…