As Polk State College, Polk County and the globe reflect on one year since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the college is focused on a future that is brighter and characterized by success for our community.
Polk County is on the path to economic recovery and prosperity with all sectors and organizations, including the Central Florida Development Council, Polk Vision and the chambers of commerce, working together strategically in the best interest of our community.
Polk State remains dedicated to its role as Polk County’s largest higher education institution and its success in producing a highly skilled talent pipeline that fills local workforce needs. The college is proud to be reskilling and upskilling individuals whose jobs have been impacted by the pandemic – many who are receiving training at no cost to them thanks to grant-funded opportunities through the Florida Department of Education and College partners. Additionally, through advisory boards comprised of leaders
Calm during crisis: Susan Copeland on staying grounded and connected
Emily Rogers
The pandemic has highlighted the role schools play in providing stability for many Polk County families.
Recently, I met with Susan Copeland who has served as the executive director of the Polk Education Foundation since 2005, to talk about leading through crisis and making a difference in our community.
Copeland is a lifelong resident of Auburndale and, after graduating from high school, went on to graduate from Polk Community College and Warner Southern College with a degree in Elementary Education, following in both of her parents’ footsteps to become a teacher. She earned a master s of business administration at Southeastern University.
Food pantry and SNAP benefits available to more college students in need
College students now have expanded access to the Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known as SNAP.
and last updated 2021-03-16 17:56:00-04
LAKELAND, Fla. â Weâve all heard the term poor college student, but some students are struggling more than others.
âThereâs a poor college student and then thereâs a poor college student that literally goes home with nothing in their pantry who are doing it on their own and every penny counts,â said Kim Deronda, Testing & Tutoring Center Manager at Polk State College.
Located on the Lakeland campus, Polk State Pantry provides low-income students, discreet assistance by offering food and personal hygiene items.
Among the more unusual professions to be found in this area is the vocation practiced by Andrew Osburn.
The lanky 50-year-old entrepreneur and Army veteran s eclectic background – recording studio engineer, website designer, utility field worker, French horn player, videographer, remodeler – led to his uncommon occupation as a professional drone pilot.
Born in Indiana and educated in the arcane science of geographic information systems, Osburn owns and operates Polk Drones LLC.
Q. What is the essence of your business?
A. Using drones, I produce and provide data for crop insurance companies. The USDA approves certain crop insurance providers. There are 14, including four or five large companies. They are beginning to see how drones make their lives much more productive when they don t have to go into the groves, up and down every row with a clicker counting trees – which is how some still do it.