As we approach National Agriculture Day on March 22, it’s important to recognize the educational institutions that help fuel the industry’s workforce. Polk County Public Schools and higher education institutions prepare students to work or pursue advanced degrees in this expanding field. According to the Polk County Farm Bureau, 33% of jobs in the county […]
Central Florida is home to a deep and diverse talent pipeline, from world-class colleges and universities to specialized training centers, Polk County is dedicated to workforce preparedness. To start off 2022, the CFDC highlighted our seven institutions of higher learning to learn more about their plans for the new year and beyond. Read more below. […]
Working toward growth, Webber International University will embark on several construction projects this year. “We built a Learning Commons last year, which houses computer labs, tutoring offices, library, writing lab and the students’ favorite — a Starbucks. Moving the library let us repurpose that space for occupational therapy assisting, nursing and sports performance and fitness […]
Melody Rider, president of Keiser University’s Lakeland campus, said she’s very excited about 2022 after the Year of Pivot (2020) and the Year of Transition (2021). The Year of Pivot saw faculty and staff working from home, students learning remotely and many safety challenges on campus – all adding a lot of stress, she said. […]
Coming off a year of fundraising, Warner University President David Hoag is preparing for a year of planning in 2022, charting a path for the next five to 10 years at the southeast Polk County university in Lake Wales. “We just went through a capital campaign and raised over $25 million,” said Hoag, who has […]
The outlook for Florida Southern College (FSC) for 2022 is optimistic as the Lakeland school continues to tackle construction, add programs and engage students, said President Anne Kerr. “Our trajectory continues with robust enrollment of truly outstanding students, many of whom have world-class talent,” said Kerr, FSC’s president of 15 years. “Our professors are as […]
If you want to help shape future graduates of the county’s public school system, now is the time to take a quick online survey to provide your input. The deadline is Nov. 30. Polk County Public Schools is developing a strategic plan to ensure all graduates are ready to enter college or the workforce. As […]
The new Hospitality and Marketing Academy at Davenport High School (DHS) is preparing students to enter the field with unique skills. Courses being offered at the new high school, which opened in August 2021, include multiple career programs in the fine arts, hospitality and hotel management, technology, computer modeling and gaming. That includes the first […]
As manufacturing continues to play a key role in diversifying Polk County’s economy, it’s clear that education is a vital component to ensuring a workforce that is trained to handle jobs that have changed considerably in the last 20 years. Florida Polytechnic University, Polk State College, Florida Southern College and Southeastern University are all important […]
As the world moves beyond boundaries and becomes more and more global, educating our students to do business internationally is a key component in college classes. Educating Spanish-speaking residents is just as important. That’s why Teresa Martinez, executive editor of Viva Polk magazine and member of the Polk State College District Board of Trustees, asked […]