President

PRESIDENT POLK STATE COLLEGE

Polk State College , inCentral Florida, seeks a dynamic and experienced leader to serve as President. The President serves as the institution's chief executiveofficer and corporate secretary to the board of trustees, providing visionary, mission-driven leadership. The President guides strategicplanning and institutional effectiveness while fostering a culture of student success, access, and academic excellence. For moreinformation, please see the full profile at the link below: https://myersmcrae.com/api/admin/create-job/file/Files/PDF/Polk-Presidnt_April2026-FINAL-R1-1775232039515-212821739.pdf

ABOUT THE COLLEGE

Polk State College is Polk County's largest serving institutionof higher education and workforce development, providing access to affordable associate and baccalaureate degrees, career certificates andworkforce training programs. Established in 1964, Polk State College spans seven locations serving more than 14,000 degree-seekingstudents and 9,000 individuals in short-term workforce training programs annually. In addition to its main campuses in Winter Haven andLakeland, and centers in Bartow, Lake Wales, and Winter Haven, Polk State College is currently constructing its eighth location in HainesCity-Davenport. An institution of the Florida College System, Polk State College is accredited by the Southern Association ofColleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and completed its decennial reaffirmation in 2021 with no findings, placing theCollege in an approximated 5% of higher education institutions in the southern region. Polk State College also boasts the highest continuingeducation and job placement rate out of the 28 Florida College System institutions for its associate in science graduates. With 80academic programs that span Advanced Manufacturing, Aerospace, Business, Education, Health Sciences and Nursing, Public Safety and LiberalArts, Polk State College offers a variety of paths for students to obtain the education and training they need for high-wage, in-demandcareers within the region. Polk State College partners closely with industry leaders and employers to ensure instruction is aligned withlocal needs. In addition to leading continuing education and job placement rates, Polk State College programs boast 100% licensure passrates in areas including Corrections, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Law Enforcement,Nursing, Paramedic, Physical Therapist Assistant and Respiratory Care. Polk State College is a recipient of $820,000 in LinkingIndustry to Nursing Education (LINE) funding to enhance and expand its Nursing Program, as well as a $2.8 million Florida Job Growth Grantto launch a Welding Program and expand its Computer Numeric Control (CNC) Machining Program. In 2025, for the first time in Polk StateCollege history, the institution was the primary recipient of a National Science Foundation grant totaling $494,795 to fund the ActivatingSTEM Skills and Efficacy for Transfer (ASSET) Project, which will enrich STEM curriculum and create more hands-on learningopportunities. Polk State College also invests in quality services to support students on their academic journeys. With anadvisor-to-student ratio of 1:365 and initiatives including the First-Year Experience and success coaching to assist first time-in-collegestudents with onboarding and navigating their first year of college, retention rates continue to increase. Students are also supported bygenerous donors through the Polk State College Foundation, which awards approximately $1.2 million in scholarships each year. TheCollege also operates three charter high schools. Polk State's many advantages include small class sizes; hands-on learning; dedicatedfaculty; day and night classes; online options; affordable tuition; excellent financial aid; and vibrant student life, including fine artsopportunities, clubs, and intercollegiate athletics. Polk State College Mission Polk State College is aquality higher education institution that provides Polk County and beyond with access to affordable associate and baccalaureate degreeprograms, career certificates, and workforce employment programs that are delivered to students through various modalities and innovativetechnologies. Our Vision Polk State College is the leading choice for higher education in Polk County. Our Values Adaptability, Integrity, Knowledge, Leadership Innovation, Quality, Respect, and Service Polk State College Foundation The Polk State College Foundation, Inc. is a tax-exempt corporation whose purposeis to provide Polk State College with resources for the advancement of the College, its students, faculty, staff and other constituencies infulfillment of the College's mission. The Polk State College Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of communityleaders, as well as a strong management team to ensure that donations are wisely managed and leveraged to maximize the benefit to thestudents. The Polk State College Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization as designated by the Internal Revenue Service.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The President serves as the institution's chief executive officer and corporate secretary to theboard of trustees, providing visionary, mission-driven leadership. The President guides strategic planning and institutional effectivenesswhile fostering a culture of student success, access, and academic excellence. Working collaboratively with faculty, staff,students, trustees, and community partners, the President oversees financial stewardship, resource development, academic programs,enrollment management, and campus operations. The role carries responsibility for policy implementation, regulatory compliance, andaccountability to state performance goals. As the institution's principal ambassador, the President cultivates partnerships,advances workforce and transfer pathways, and ensures responsible governance aligned with state law and Board priorities. KeyResponsibilities Polk State College, the largest public college in Polk County, Florida, is an indispensable and valuedcommunity partner, highly responsive to local educational and workforce needs. The Polk State President is a visible, active memberof the College community and must display technical and principled leadership in all matters. To achieve this, the President must bean accomplished, energetic leader who: Provides visionary leadership, reporting directly to the District Board of Trustees andensuring compliance with the rules and regulations of the State Board of Education while aligning institutional priorities with state andcommunity needs to advance student success and academic excellence. Articulates and advances a compelling, mission-centered visionin partnership with the Board, guiding strategic planning and institutional priorities, and taking calculated, transformational risks toposition the College for success in a rapidly changing educational environment. Demonstrates extensive academic leadershipexperience, including accreditation, curriculum development, articulation agreements, and workforce alignment, ensuring programs meetevolving student and community needs. Fosters a culture of engagement, promoting collaboration, transparency, and respect amongstudents, faculty, staff, and community stakeholders, and advancing the "one college" concept across multiple campuses and centers. Serves as the College's chief executive and public representative, strengthening relationships with legislators, community leaders,industry partners, and donors, and partnering with the College's direct-support organization and Board of Trustees to advance advocacy,resource development, and philanthropic support consistent with Florida law. Provides strategic, transparent, and ethical fiscalstewardship, aligning resources with institutional goals, promoting affordability, diversifying funding streams, and ensuring compliancewith legal, regulatory, and audit requirements. Champions academic excellence and student success, advancing high-qualityinstruction, innovation, comprehensive student-centered services, and seamless systems, using data-informed strategies to improveenrollment, retention, completion, and institutional effectiveness. Leads long-range planning for capital assets, facilities, andtechnology, integrating innovation and digital transformation to enhance learning, operational efficiency, and institutional growth. Cultivates and sustains a high-performing workforce, supporting professional development, leadership growth, a positive organizationalculture, compliance with employment laws, and strategic talent management. Demonstrates experience in crisis management, safetyplanning, and institutional resilience, ensuring preparedness and effective response to emergencies. Maintains a strong,transparent, and collaborative partnership with the Board of Trustees, providing timely, data-informed counsel, executing Board policiesfaithfully, and ensuring clear communication and thorough preparation to support effective governance. RequiredMinimum Qualifications An earned doctorate or other terminal degree is preferred. Candidates must have acombination of credentials and/or experience sufficient to guarantee the respect and confidence of a wide range of collegeconstituents. Candidates with a variety of leadership experience are strongly encouraged to apply.

CENTRAL,FLORIDA

Polk County is a "best of both worlds" location that offers Central Florida access, economic momentum and authenticFlorida lifestyle. Nestled in one of Florida's fastest growing regions, residents are conveniently located between Orlando and Tampa butenjoy small-town benefits. Polk County is a tight-knit community where networking is relationship driven, business leaders areaccessible, and schools and colleges are expanding. With more than 550 lakes, expansive outdoor recreation as well as growing arts and foodscenes, there is a lot to experience within county lines. Polk County is home to attractions including

LEGOLAND

® Florida Resort,Westgate River Ranch Resort, Bok Tower Gardens, Bonnet Springs Park, and historic downtowns and museums that provide entertainment for thewhole family. Both Polk County public schools and private schools are excellent and plentiful as well as the three charteredschools operated by Polk State College. Within Polk County there are also many medical centers, hospitals, clinics, and physicians fromwhich to choose.

APPLICATION & NOMINATION PROCESS

Confidential inquiries are welcomed, and nominationsare invited. Applications 1) All application packets must include the following: A letterof application that addresses the responsibilities and qualifications of the position A current Curriculum Vitae At leastfour references with full contact information including e-mail ( References will not be contacted without consent fromapplicant. ) A background and criminal report will be conducted on the finalists selected for campus interviews. 2) Submit application materials online,preferably as PDFs. Additional information is requested with the submission of materials. The deadline for applications is April29, 2026. Confidential inquiries are welcomed, and nominations are invited. Nominations Submit nominations with complete contact and e-mail information for the individual being nominated. Consultants Polk State College has retained Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting to assist the SearchCommittee in its identification and review of the President. Kenny Daugherty, President, and Brianna Douglas, Ph.D., Vice President andConsultant of Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting, are leading this search. Request a conversation regarding this search at KennyDaugherty@MyersMcrae.com or BriannaDouglas@MyersMcrae.com . Polk State College does not discriminate on thebasis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs, activities, or employment. For information about theCollege's equal access and equal opportunity policies and procedures, or to file a complaint, please contact the Title IX Coordinator, 3425Winter Lake Road, Lakeland, FL 33803, 863.669.2903, compliance@polk.edu . For additionalinformation, visit polk.edu/compliance.