Polk State Aerospace student prepared for anything with education & training
What does Polk State College have in common with Jay Leno, Navy submarines, and a plane crash rescue? Well, they’re all part of Genesah Duffy’s journey. Duffy is a U.S. Navy veteran who was working…
Polk State EMS alum returns to program as clinical coordinator
Lisa Correll’s passion for education and pride in Polk State College’s Emergency Medical Services Program is evident upon meeting her. With a 10-year career in emergency medicine and as an alum of Polk State EMS,…
Polk State Metallica Scholar gets “new lease on life” after COVID shuttered small business
Andy Johnson owned a small video production company when the pandemic forced him to close his business and “find a way to reinvent myself.” Enrolling in Polk State College’s Metallica Scholars Program provided him with…
Young mother and daughter of migrant workers becomes first in her family to achieve degree – a Polk State Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Maricela Morales comes from a family built on a strong work ethic. Her father, from Mexico, went to school only one day in his life before his family needed him to stay on the farm…
Polk State student from Haiti graduating with Criminal Justice degree is inspired to help other immigrants
When Rooloph Rene emigrated from Haiti in 2018, he had four years of law school in his home country under his belt but thought he may have to change career paths in the United States.…
Graduating Polk State Nursing student dedicates degree to sister with rare genetic syndrome
Lorann Pate started her Polk State College journey early as a Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School student, but her calling to become a nurse began even earlier as she has grown up watching her…
Graduating Polk State student motivated by her daughters to achieve not one, but two degrees
When Millicent Whitehead came to the U.S. in 2001, she received her General Educational Development (GED) high school equivalency diploma but wouldn’t revisit her academic goals for nearly 15 years. She didn’t think then that…
Polk State OTA grad awarded for paying it forward to students
Lidia Ramirez recently received an Award of Excellence from the Florida Occupational Therapy Education Consortium for service to the field, including her commitment to providing Polk State Occupational Therapy Assistant students with clinical opportunities, especially…
Veteran, Polk State student: Keep pushing and persevere
For Amethyst McMaster, her service in the U.S. Army provided lessons that are now helping her in her pursuit of a bachelor’s degree at Polk State College. She concluded her service in 2020 after six…
Polk State Respiratory alum returns as Clinical Education Coordinator to train future RTs
Jordan Emro is a proud alum of Polk State College’s Respiratory Care Program and enjoyed nearly a decade working in the clinical setting before she felt called to return to the College full time. Emro…