Angela Garcia Falconetti
President, Polk State College, WINTER HAVEN
Polk County’s largest institution of higher education, Polk State College, has about 13,000 degree-seeking students, 9,000 people in workforce training and 1,200 employees. The college provides affordable access to associate’s and bachelor’s degrees and certificate and workforce training opportunities. According to a recent study, Polk State College’s credit programs add $215.5 million in total income to the Polk County economy each year. Polk State boasts approximately 60,000 alumni, and 70% of students remain in Polk County after graduation. Since Falconetti became president in 2017, Polk State has secured more than $82 million from the Legislature with the support of Polk County’s legislative delegation. In 2022, the college was allocated $13.2 million for the design and planning of the future Polk State Haines City-Davenport Campus.
EDUCATION: New York University (BA), University of North Florida (Ed.D, M.Ed)
MENTOR: Dr. Joyce Jones, who was my dissertation chair at the University of North Florida, continues to serve as one of my greatest mentors and has not only supported me through my own professional endeavors but has also motivated me to pay her mentorship and kindness forward.
INSPIRING FLORIDIAN: Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd inspires me through his visionary leadership and unwavering public service locally, statewide and nationally. Polk State had the distinct honor of partnering with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to launch the National Public Safety Innovation Academy, one of just three national command schools in the U.S. for law enforcement and corrections professionals seeking command positions within their agencies. I am grateful to Sheriff Judd for his mentorship and friendship.
