POLK STATE COLLEGE Q&A

Higher Education Growth Parallels that of City’s

Q&A with Dr. Angela Falconetti, President of Polk State College

HAVEN: In what ways has Polk State College grown over the last ten years in Winter Haven?

DR. FALCONETTI: I am proud to serve as Polk State College’s fifth President. Polk State has grown exponentially in the last decade in a variety of ways, from its physical footprint to the diversity of students served, to an increase in degree and workforce certification programs in direct response to the needs of our community.

Enrollment at Polk State’s Winter Haven Campus has increased by approximately 845 students since 2010-2011, and the College is proud to serve approximately 14,000 degree-seeking students and 9,000 individuals in workforce training programs each year.

Over the last decade, the College has also increased its number of programs, most notably with the expansion of baccalaureate degrees it awards from the launch of its first bachelor’s degree in 2009, to six baccalaureate degree programs today in the areas of aerospace sciences, criminal justice, elementary education, early childhood education, nursing, and supervision and management. Additionally, 11 Associate in Science degrees have been added since 2010-2011 in the areas of aerospace administration, aviation maintenance, professional pilots science, business administration, business management, cardiovascular technology, computer network engineering technology, computer systems and business analysis, graphic design, advanced manufacturing, and network systems. Polk State is proud to confer more than 460 baccalaureate degrees and more than 2,000 degrees and certificates overall each year.

Polk State has also successfully expanded its footprint across Polk County with the development of the Polk State Clear Springs Advanced Technology Center in Bartow in 2014 and the opening of the Polk State Center for Public Safety in Winter Haven in 2016. The Advanced Technology Center in Bartow is a state-of-the-art facility that houses the Polk State Corporate College and the Engineering Technology Program.

Advanced Technology Center/Polk State Corporate College The Polk State Corporate College is leading the way in workforce training for industries across the State of Florida, and Winter Haven benefits greatly from the training and resources available through the ATC and Corporate College’s strong partnerships with local industry and municipal government. The Corporate College is proud to provide quality, customized training for companies bringing an abundance of rewarding, high-wage career opportunities to Winter Haven and Polk County, including Florida Can Manufacturing. Polk State has partnered with Florida Can to train more than 300 employees in the areas of mechanical, electrical, and automated systems troubleshooting for the company’s new manufacturing facility under construction near the CSX intermodal terminal off State Road 60, which is estimated to bring up to 500 jobs to Winter Haven. In addition to quality workforce training, the Polk State Corporate College provides exceptional professional development opportunities that are also tailored to employers’ needs. The City of Winter Haven and Polk State launched the Leadership Development in Public Administration (LDPA) Program in 2020 and has since trained more than 30 city employees to enhance the city’s workforce and, therefore, the services and quality of life for Winter Haven’s residents who benefit from the hard work and dedication of the city’s employees.

Center for Public Safety Partnerships like these truly illustrate why Polk State’s motto is We are Polk. By working closely with partners including the City of Winter Haven, Polk County Public Schools, Winter Haven – BayCare, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Polk State is able to keep its finger on the pulse of the community’s educational and workforce needs and develop programs and solutions to meet them. This was the driving force of the development of Polk State’s Center for Public Safety, which was made possible by the advocacy of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and supporting local public safety agencies. The state-of-the-art facility houses the Polk State Kenneth C. Thompson Institute for Public Safety (KCTIPS), the College’s associate and baccalaureate degree programs in Criminal Justice, and the Emergency Medical Services Program. The development of this center includes innovations such as simulation labs that are sought out and utilized by public safety agencies across the State of Florida. Our community has quickly experienced the return on investment of this facility. Polk State KCTIPS students, for example, have achieved 100% pass rates on the state exam since 2017, illustrating the College’s success in preparing students to become highly skilled, dedicated members of law enforcement.

LEGOLAND® Partnership Polk State continues to be the top choice for higher education and workforce training, also illustrated by LEGOLAND®Florida Resort’s investment of $30,000 through the Polk State College Foundation to launch the Building Higher Prepaid Scholarship Program. This program builds on the longstanding partnership between Polk County’s largest-serving higher education institution and premier international theme park to provide eligible LEGOLAND® Florida Resort employees with the support to pursue their education at no cost to them. Polk State is proud of its successful collaboration with LEGOLAND® Florida Resort, which serves as a key player in Central Florida’s tourism industry and works closely with the College to develop academic and career-building opportunities for students, graduates, and

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employees. Another highlight of this powerful public-private partnership is the Polk State College LEGOLAND® Florida Resort Internship Program, which since its inception in 2015, has served more than 60 students. The internship allows Polk State students to earn college credit while receiving valuable hands-on experience in areas including finance, marketing, and waste and environmental management. Internships and Polk State degrees have led to employment and promotions at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort for many Polk State students and graduates, signifying the value of a Polk State education.

Diversity The College has also seen growth in the diversity of its student population. When I assumed the role of President in 2017, it became one of my top priorities to achieve Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation for the College, which requires a student population that is at least 25 percent Hispanic. This designation by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and the U.S. Department of Education provides the College with eligibility to receive Title V and HSI STEM grant funding that supports services for all students. Polk State achieved HSI designation last year, with the Hispanic student population increasing from 19 percent in 2017 to 26 percent in 2021. This mirrors the Hispanic population growth in Polk County, with this demographic increasing from 17.6 percent in 2010 to 24.6 percent in 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Through expanded outreach efforts and enhanced support services, including targeted assistance with admission, advising, and financial aid, as well as services, publications, and open house events in Spanish, the College has remained diligent in its recruitment efforts to ensure the growing Hispanic population is connected to the opportunities available at Polk State.

HV: How does having a strong, local public college affect the community as a whole?

DF: We know that access to quality higher education and workforce training is life-transforming for not only our students and their families but also for our community which benefits from their knowledge, skills, and the economic impact of their increased earnings over their lifetime. The Florida College System boasts a $26.6 billion economic impact for the state, and Florida College System graduates can expect an approximate $838,000 increase in work-life earnings.

Polk State College provides Polk County’s residents with this life-transforming opportunity right here at home. Polk State is Polk County’s largest-serving higher education institution, and 90 percent of the students we serve are Polk County residents. With tuition at one-third the cost of that of universities; seven convenient locations; online, in-person, and hybrid courses; daytime, evening, and weekend classes; and a variety of diverse degree and certification options to meet both the needs of our community and the academic and career goals of our residents, Polk State provides the affordability and flexibility to ensure high-quality education and workforce training is within reach for everyone.

HV: With Winter Haven/Lakeland named one of the fastestgrowing communities in the country, how has the city’s progress propelled or paralleled the growth of the college?

DF: Polk State’s growth mirrors that of the greater community as we continue to remain nimble and responsive to the needs of residents and the local workforce. Polk County is ranked eighth nationally for net migration, drawing more than 17,000 individuals annually, with Northeast Polk named as one of the fastest-growing areas in the county. Polk’s third most populous

municipality, Haines City, has grown from 20,000 residents in 2010 to more than 26,000 according to the 2020 Census, and our geographic location in the heart of Florida means growth is inevitable for us.

Adhering to Polk State’s mission to provide access to affordable, quality higher education to all residents of Polk County, it is critical that we move forward with the development of Polk State’s property in Haines City. One of the College’s legislative priorities for 2022 is to secure $13.8 million in Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) funding to begin the Northeast Ridge: Phase I development to increase access to academic and workforce programs for students and families in Haines City, Davenport, Poinciana, and the Four Corners region. The area within a 10-mile radius of the Northeast Ridge site is significant because it:

· Includes nearly 3,800 enrolled 12th graders representing 39% of all 12th graders in Polk County.

· Includes over 80,000 residents whose highest educational attainment is a high school diploma or some college but no degree.

· It is projected to have 16,805 new jobs in the next decade.

Access to local, affordable higher education in this part of

Polk County is critical to promote improved quality of life for students and their families and to develop the workforce pipeline.

HV: Do you have any statistics on the number of students who stay and join the local workforce once they have graduated?

DF: Polk State is proud of its more than 55,000 alumni and that approximately 70 percent of students remain right here in Polk County after graduation. With Polk State boasting some of the highest success indicators in the state for employment and continuing education, we are confident when we say that Polk State’s graduates go on to become the highly skilled professionals, healthcare workers, first responders, educators, entrepreneurs, and more who are propelling our community forward into a bright future.

HV: What do you plan or envision for the next ten years at Polk State College?

DF: In the next ten years, I envision continued growth for Polk State College, which will result in the expansion of opportunities for Polk County’s residents contributing directly to the economic development of our community. Since 1964, Polk State has served as the County’s leading workforce engine, providing highly skilled graduates who are well-prepared to serve local industry needs. Polk State graduates are employed in nearly every law enforcement and healthcare sector in Central Florida, as well as in numerous companies and in the majority of Polk County schools. With our region’s continued growth, our College will continue to grow in response to the increased demand for highly skilled members of our workforce.

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