Member Spotlight – Polk State College
“Polk State College’s ability to transform the lives of students and train the future leaders of our community is made possible by our dedicated faculty and staff— many who are previous NISOD award recipients. Polk State’s faculty and staff are forward thinkers who are committed to student success, and I could not be more proud of their innovative work to ensure our students persevere on their paths to their degrees.” – Dr. Angela Garcia Falconetti, President
Dr. Angela Garcia Falconetti, President
| Name of College: | Polk State College |
| City and State: | Winter Haven, Florida |
| Website: | www.polk.edu |
| Year Established: | 1964 |
| NISOD Liaison: | Donald Painter |
Donald Painter, Dean of Academic Success
Member Spotlight Question and Answer
How many years has Polk State College been a NISOD Member?
Polk State College has been a NISOD member for over 14 years!
Why is Polk State College a NISOD Member?
Polk State College is a NISOD member because NISOD provides our faculty and staff with valuable information and professional development to help our students succeed. NISOD is by far the leading professional development organization for community and state colleges. The information and resources NISOD provides align perfectly with our institutional mission and the students we serve.
Which NISOD benefits does Polk State College utilize the most and how?
The NISOD Excellence Awards have become a key part of the culture at Polk State College. Each fall we solicit nominations for the award from our campus community. Receiving an Excellence Award is an honor and is a great way to recognize the hard work and accomplishments of our faculty and staff. Our faculty and staff also enjoy reading Innovation Abstracts and using the information provided in their work with students. Lastly, the annual conference is a valuable and impactful professional development experience. Polk State frequently sends new faculty to the conference as a capstone to their first year with the college. In addition, a number of other faculty and administrators attend.
Interesting News Happening at Polk State College
New Program to Create Teacher Pipeline
Polk State College and Polk County Public Schools created a new program to address the statewide teacher shortage by creating a pathway from high school to college to employment for aspiring educators.
Polk State College and NASA Form Partnership
NASA HUNCH (High Schools United with NASA to Create Hardware) and Polk State College have partnered to empower and inspire students studying computer numerical control at Polk State Corporate College by tasking them with designing and fabricating Class 1E flight hardware items with real-world value and application for NASA.
Polk State Fast Tracks EMS Program
When Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) approached Polk State College about its need for paramedics, the college’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Program didn’t hesitate to figure out a way to put students on a fast track to becoming the highly-skilled professionals the community needs. Polk State EMS, in partnership with PCFR, launched a three-semester program in September for a class of 22 men and women who will receive the quality education and training they need for successful employment with the department.
Every month, NISOD turns the spotlight on the effective ways member colleges use NISOD benefits. These member colleges exemplify NISOD’s mission of improving teaching, learning, and leadership, with the ultimate goal being to increase student success.