POLKcast

Tracy Porter is Executive Director of the Polk State College Foundation, which awards approximately $1.5 million in scholarships to Polk State students each year. In this episode of POLKcast, Porter shares the support that is available through the Foundation and how students can apply for scholarships. She thanks the Foundation’s generous donors and illustrates how their support is transforming the lives of students through the power of philanthropy and a Polk State education.

Donations can be made to the Foundation online here.

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In this episode of POLKcast, Polk State JD Alexander Center Director Andy Oguntola shares the critical importance of the Lake Wales Campus, which serves approximately 1,100 students each year — many who would not be able to access higher education outside of southeast Polk County.

In 2018-2019, the Lake Wales Campus served a student population that was 53 percent ethnic minority, 66 percent female, transportation disadvantaged like 38 percent of Polk County residents, and financially in need, with 47 percent receiving need-based federal pell grants and 20 percent of female students between 18 and 24 living below poverty.

At Polk State’s Lake Wales Campus, students have access to associate degrees and Bachelor of Science in Supervision and Management degree programs, dual enrollment, and onsite academic support including advisors, tutors, technology, and more. Since the Polk State JD Alexander Center opened, more than 500 students from southeast Polk County have earned their Polk State degrees, resulting in more than $12 million in additional annual income for these graduates and their families.

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Coordinator of Veterans Services Byron Loyd joins POLKcast for an episode in honor of those who have served in the military. Loyd shares the support available to veterans who are students at Polk State College and encourages students, faculty, staff, and members of the community to the College’s upcoming Veterans Day events:

Polk State Veterans Day Event – Lakeland Campus

Tuesday, Nov. 5 | Noon – 1 p.m. | LAC 1133

Polk State Basketball Veterans Appreciation Game

Wednesday, Nov. 6 | 7 p.m. | Winter Haven Campus Health Center

Polk State Veterans Day Event – Winter Haven Campus

Thursday, Nov. 7 | Noon – 1 p.m. | WFA Lobby

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In this episode of POLKcast, Teaching Learning Computing Center (TLCC) Manager Kim DeRonda shares resources that are available at Polk State College to help students in need of food, hygiene products, information on social services, an environment accepting of those in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) community, and more.

DeRonda, who serves as advisor of the Free To Be Me club, also encourages students, faculty, staff, and community members to join the College for its celebration of LGBTQ History Month at the following events:

Who is Who?

“At the End of the Day” Film Screening/Q&A Panel

Know Your Flags & Symbols?

More information about the Polk State Pantry on the Lakeland Campus and My Brother’s Keeper on the Winter Haven Campus is available at Eagle Outreach.

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For Disability Awareness Month, Director of Disability and Counseling Services Kim Pearsall joins POLKcast to share the resources available to students at Polk State College to overcome barriers and eliminate boundaries along their college journeys.

The Office of Disability Services provides access to college classes, programs, and activities for individuals with disabilities, and partners with the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion to breakdown stereotypes and foster an environment where all students can be successful. The College is hosting Disability Awareness Month events on its campuses in October for students, faculty, staff, and members of the community.

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College can be difficult and finding a career after graduation can seem overwhelming, but Polk State’s Career Development Services gives students the guidance and skills they need to network with peers and employers, write resumes and interview, and be successful in the job hunt.

In this episode of POLKcast, Jeannette Grullon, Coordinator of Polk State’s Career Development Services on the Winter Haven Campus, shares how her department and counterpart on the Lakeland Campus give students a confident and competitive edge as they seek professional development and employment.

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Polk State’s First Year Experience (FYE) Program helps students transition to college and figure out what they are called to do academically and professionally. In this episode of POLKcast, Director of Academic Success Initiatives Cate Igo who leads FYE shares the resources available to students through the program.

Also, listen for POLKcast’s first-ever giveaway!

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Check out these photos from FYE’s 2019 First Flight events.

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Season 2 of POLKcast aims to highlight the different services and resources available to students at Polk State College, from scholarships and career services to campus food pantries and disability services.

In this “presidential” episode of POLKcast, Polk State President Angela Garcia Falconetti shares the full scope of services available at the College and why it’s important for students to utilize these resources as Polk State heads into the 2019-2020 academic year!

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When Dean of Student Services Larry Pakowski isn’t assisting students with navigating their college journeys, he’s helping others determine their “true colors” through the personality-identification system used by educational institutions, businesses, and government organizations as a conflict management tool.

Learn more about True Colors and take the test at truecolorsintl.com.

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Director of Purchasing Mark Lillquist joins POLKcast to talk about Star Wars and how he uses his interest in the epic space opera media franchise for good. As part of Star Wars costuming group 501st Legion, Lillquist participates in collective costume events, organized volunteer efforts, and charity work that brings people together through Star Wars fandom.

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