College Updates
Plans for Haines City-Davenport Campus Moving Forward
The much anticipated Haines City-Davenport Campus of Polk State College is closer to coming to fruition, with Gov. DeSantis signing a bill earlier this year that provides a significant boost to the $51 million facility.
The college celebrated an $8.1 million allocation in the 2024-25 state budget for the development of the 75,000-square foot facility that will include Central Florida’s first public higher education interdisciplinary simulation hospital. In addition to a focus on health sciences, the campus will also include hospitality and tourism management, supply chain and logistics, teacher education, and courses for the Associate in Arts degree.
“Polk State College is incredibly thankful to Governor DeSantis for his support of quality higher education and workforce development, which is illustrated by the inclusion of this funding for our Haines City-Davenport Campus which will respond directly to workforce education needs in the most rapidly growing region of Polk County,” President Angela Garcia Falconetti said in a press release from the college.
Within a 10-mile radius of the Haines City Campus site, there are more than 80,000 residents whose highest educational attainment is a high school diploma or some college but no degree.
New CSI Program Takes Shape
Polk State College administrators are no longer just investigating the possibility of a CSI program, they are actively implementing it.
The college recently launched the Crime Scene Investigations concentration within its Criminal Justice degree program. The curriculum is developed and taught by crime scene practitioners, and the program can be completed in full online.
“Nationwide, there is a shortage of employees wanting or willing to work in the criminal justice field,” said Sergeant Chris Shea, Director of Polk State College’s Criminal Justice Program, in the college’s “Report to Community” publication.
Did you know?
90% of Polk State College students have Polk County zip codes
70% of Polk State College graduates stay in Polk County after graduation
Last school year, enrollment was at more than 13,000 students
Polk State College ranks #1 or #2 in all of Florida for percent of Associate in Science graduates, Associate in Arts graduates and percent of baccalaureate degree gradates who are employed or continuing their education
Introducing Florida Southern College’s New President, Dr. Jeremy P. Martin
After 20 years under the leadership of Dr. Anne Kerr, Florida Southern College has a new voice in the president’s seat, Dr. Jeremy P. Martin.
The successor of FSC’s first female president comes from William & Mary, where he served as the Vice President for Strategy and Innovation. He was instrumental in launching several key initiatives that improved student retention and academic performance, including aligning the university’s enrollment, marketing, and communications strategies, and advancing the institution's strategic goals.
"With a background in academic administration and a proven track record of enhancing the student experience and institutional growth, Dr. Martin is uniquely qualified to lead our college into a new era of excellence," said Robert Fryer, chairman of FSC’s Board of Trustees, in a press release.. "We are excited to welcome Dr. Martin and his family to FSC and look forward to working with him as he guides us forward."
Dr. Martin, 44, worked at William & Mary for more than 15 years, holding key positions, including Assistant to the President and Provost, Associate Provost, and Chief of Staff. Alongside the provost/chief academic officer, Dr. Martin co-chaired the strategic planning process, resulting in the university’s Vision 2026 strategic plan. He also served as Interim Director of Athletics from 2020-2021, providing stability and leading significant initiatives, including the $57.4 million All In fundraising campaign for athletics.
The 6-foot-5 former college basketball player is excited to take the reins of an award-winning institution in one of the country’s fastest growing cities.
“My wife and I are delighted to return to Lakeland, where I have visited family over the years. My grandfather taught me how to play golf at Cleveland Heights, though I haven’t improved much since his early lessons," said Dr. Martin in a press release. "Tia and I have already felt the warm embrace of the College and look forward to our family becoming part of the Lakeland community."
"My grandfather taught me how to play golf at Cleveland Heights, though I haven't improved much since his early lessons."
Dr. Jeremy P. Martin, Florida Southern College
Did you know?
Enrollment at FSC is at more than 3,300 students, and includes students from nearly every state and 50 countries
400+ students travel abroad each year through the Junior Journey program
FSC Moccasins athletic teams have won a total of 30 NCAA Division II National Championships
Florida Poly Welcomes Second University President in School History, Dr. Devin Stephenson
When the only president in Florida Polytechnic University’s history, Dr. Randy Avent, stepped down following more than 10 years at the helm, the school went in a different direction to build on the distinguished legacy he leaves behind.
Following more than seven years as president of Northwest Florida State College, located in Niceville, Dr. Devin Stephenson was voted on to become president of the 1,600-plus STEM school by a 7-6 vote of the Florida Poly Board of Trustees in April.
Stephenson, who had more than 15 years of executive administration experience at community colleges prior to serving at Northwest Florida State College, currently serves as the state’s representative on the Executive Council of the Southern Regional Education Board’s Executive Council.
His experience as a leader and as a successful fundraiser helped vault him over the competition to earn his new role.
“His exceptional qualifications, unwavering dedication to education, and visionary leadership make him the perfect fit for our institution,” said Cliff Otto, Chair of the Board of Trustees in April via a press release. “I’m confident that under Stephenson’s guidance, Florida Poly will continue to thrive, empowering students in STEM disciplines and shaping a promising future for generations to come.”
Dr. Stephenson said in a recent article on the school’s website that he’s ready to put in the work and lead his staff toward raising enrollment on the Lakeland campus to 3,000, and possibly even 5,000 in the future.
“Through my entire career, I’ve been known as a builder,” he said. “Florida Poly doesn’t need a fixer. I’m coming here to help the University grow and add depth to the institution as far as fundraising and building friends, and it requires time and someone who has experience in doing so.”
Stephenson said he will work with the academic team and Board of Trustees to examine current state performance-based funding metrics for the University and consider ways to improve Florida Poly's statistics.
“I’m going to operate with integrity, respect all people, and be very transparent,” he said on the school’s website. “We’re going to make an even bigger name for this University, I can promise you.”
His impact is already being realized. Stephenson’s staff recently added to its international partnership portfolio by securing an agreement with the Fulbright Commission Brazil to create opportunities for academic collaboration and for distinguished Brazilian researchers and scholars to conduct research at Florida Poly. This agreement builds on Fulbright partnerships the school has with Portugal, Finland, Spain, Italy, Canada, Australia, Luxembourg and Belgium.
The Fulbright Program was founded by the U.S. Department of State in 1946, and it works with more than 160 nations around the globe to increase educational and cultural exchanges to study, learn, and pursue academic and professional projects.
Did you know?
Florida Poly was named the #2 Regional College in the South by U.S News & World Report in 2024
The school is entering its 11th academic year with enrollment that is now more than 1,600 students
Florida Poly is home to the Advanced Mobility Institute, which focuses on the development of autonomous vehicles, and the Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research Institute, which works to solve phosphate related-issues and advance technology for industrial purposes
Through its Capstone Program students are provided the opportunity to work with real-world, open-ended, interdisciplinary challenges proposed by industrial and research project sponsors