POLKcast

In the finale of POLKcast’s sixth season, host Jarrod Jones sits down with a very special guest – his wife, Dr. Shanique Jones, a Polk State Nursing alum. Her educational journey brought her from Jamaica, through Polk State’s renowned and rigorous Nursing Program and ultimately to the University of Florida to complete her doctorate and become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Togeth...

In this episode of POLKcast, host Jarrod Jones sits down with longtime colleagues and mentors Chris Fullerton and Courtlann Thomas – the directors of Polk State’s Winter Haven and Lakeland campus libraries and tutoring and testing centers, respectively. They talk about growth, change and what it means to find purpose in one’s work. Together, they explore how librarianship has evolved from card cat...

This spooky season, Polk State College’s Winter Haven Campus Library transformed into a haunted house crawling with cryptids, creatures and folklore, all in support of student clubs. The Art Club, Book Club and International Circle collaborated with the guidance of their advisors and library staff to create an unforgettable experience for FallFest-goers. Host Jarrod Jones sits down with student Si...

In the latest episode of POLKcast, Librarian Jarrod Jones sits down with student worker Sunny Charles for an insightful and often hilarious conversation about the ever-evolving world of social media, from MySpace nostalgia to TikTok rabbit holes. Jones reflects on his journey through early platforms like “the Facebook” in his college days, and recounts the moment Snapchat made him offi...

What do the Yeti, the Chupacabra, and the Skunk Ape have in common with thesis statements and academic databases? In this episode of Polk State College’s podcast, host Jarrod Jones welcomes Professor Jacci Rizzo to discuss a unique and imaginative research project that’s helping English language learners engage deeply with both the research process and their own cultural heritage. Prof...

In this episode of POLKcast,  host Jarrod Jones sits down with Brandon Amato, Simulation Lab Program Specialist at Polk State College, for a fun and insightful conversation about the growing role of virtual reality in education. They explore how immersive technologies like virtual reality(VR) and augmented reality (AR) are transforming learning experiences, from interactive simulations in nursing...

    In this episode of POLKcast, host Jarrod Jones sits down with Instructional Designer Katie Ragsdale to explore the growing impact of gamification in online education. From badges and leaderboards to interactive modules and syllabus quizzes, gamification strategies are transforming how students engage with digital learning environments. Ragsdale shares insights from her own educationa...

    Polk State College has launched its sixth season of POLKcast, the College’s official podcast that brings the voices of Polk State to campuses and communities across Polk County. Hosted this season by Librarian Jarrod Jones, listeners can expect smooth sounds and engaging conversations that dive deep into the connections among students, resources and innovation at Polk State. In the s...

In this season finale of POLKcast, President Dr. Angela Garcia Falconetti, Academic Coach and Recruitment Specialist Jeannette Grullon, Professor of Nursing Viridiana Coyt, and Professor of Biology and Phi Theta Kappa Xi Pi Advisor Anthony Cornett discuss the value in connecting coursework to career and life goals. Missed Part 1? Listen here . POLKcast’s fifth season was developed by the stu...

In this first episode of a two-part finale of POLKcast’s fifth season featuring Phi Theta Kappa Xi Pi, Professor and Advisor Anthony Cornett facilitates a productive conversation with Polk State President Dr. Angela Garcia Falconetti, Academic Coach and Recruitment Specialist Jeannette Grullon, and Professor of Nursing Viridiana Coyt connecting coursework to career and life goals. This episo...

In this episode of POLKcast, the Phi Theta Kappa Xi Pi Chapter focuses on the challenges many students face when they feel unprepared for the academic demands of college. The discussion dives into why some students struggle to keep up with college-level coursework and how to overcome these hurdles. Key topics include bridging gaps in academic preparedness through resources like remedial courses, t...

In the latest episode of POLKcast, Phi Theta Kappa Xi Pi delves into the challenges faced by students who must juggle the responsibilities of caring for sick or elderly family members while pursuing their academic goals. This episode discusses the emotional and practical pressures these students face, such as the struggle to balance coursework, caregiving, and personal well-being. Arielyz Armaiz,...

Disclaimer: This episode of POLKcast contains conversations revolving around suicide, depression, and trauma. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.  In this episode of POLKcast, the Phi Theta Kappa Xi Pi Chapter tackles the topic of emotional stress—one of the top concerns facing college students today. Guests explore the common...

      In this episode of POLKcast, the Phi Theta Kappa Xi Pi Chapter explores the challenges and strategies for maintaining a family while attending college. Balancing academic demands with parenting responsibilities can be overwhelming, but guest Tania Sanchez, a mother of three and former Xi Pi Chapter President, offers practical advice and personal insights. Anthony Cornett, Xi P...

    In this episode of POLKcast, Phi Theta Kappa’s Xi Pi Chapter explores common mental health challenges faced by students, such as anxiety and depression, and discusses strategies for addressing these issues. Guests include Kim Pearsall, Director of Disability and Counseling Services, who shares insights into campus resources like the BayCare Student Assistance Program . Listener...

POLKcast returns for its highly anticipated fifth season, featuring Polk State College’s Phi Theta Kappa Xi Pi Chapter. Hosted by Cole Johnson, the chapter’s Vice President for Leadership, this season tackles the pressing challenges faced by students—insights drawn directly from a survey conducted by the Xi Pi Chapter. Each episode explores a variety of topics, from emotional and mental stress to...

In this episode of POLKcast: The SGA Takeover, co-hosts Subrina Akter and Alex Gonalez sit down with the Student Government Association Vice President for the Winter Haven Campus, Fenil Barot, to talk about the positive impact the Student Activities and Leadership Office (SALO) and SGA have had on his college experience. He shares who and what inspires him, the mentors and friends he has gained, a...

In this episode of POLKcast: The SGA Takeover, Winter Haven Campus Student Engagement Specialist Mario Aguirre shares how the Student Government Association supports students in “making the most” of their time in college. Aguirre strategizes, develops, and executes initiatives and events that foster peer involvement in student life, networking among students, and connection to college...

      POLKcast returns for its fourth season with the Student Government Association’s takeover of Polk State College’s official podcast. Hosts Subrina Akter and Alexander Gonzalez sit down with President of the Winter Haven Campus SGA Jonasia Hilliard to discuss student life, school-life balance, mental health, and resources for students.     The post POLKcast...

A former two-way player and member of Head Coach Al Corbeil’s first Polk State Baseball team, Chris Noble went on to achieve stardom on the reality television series, Survivor . Noble later worked as a model in New York and Chicago and as a personal trainer. His image even appeared on a Versace billboard on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Noble revisits his time at Polk State, his reality TV experi...

This POLKcast guest is the person you’d want on your trivia team for Polk County history. Students – if you’re doing research on Polk, listen closely. We’re joined by Myrtice Young, the Historic Preservation Manager for Polk County. She graduated from Polk State College with an Associate in Science degree in 1970 and later returned to complete an Associate in Arts in 1980. In 2005, she was named a...

A two-time All-American at Polk State College in 2007 and 2008, Kim Newsome-Reynolds was a goal-scoring machine for the program. Named the 2007 Polk Women’s Athlete of the Year, Newsome later starred at the University of Central Florida where she was recognized as an All-Conference USA selection in 2010. The Apopka native went on to play professionally in the United States in 2016 with the O...

In this episode, POLKcast sits down with Nikki Smith, founder of ASAP Prints who received her Associate in Arts degree from Polk State in 1991. ASAP Prints is a commercial print shop located in Winter Haven and has been listed as one of the Top 50 Women-Owned Businesses by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. She was awarded the Polk State Distinguished Alumna Award in the spring of 2019 and says it wa...

POLKcast, Polk State College’s official podcast, returns for its third season featuring distinguished alumni and standout athletes. Guests come from diverse walks of life and a variety of career fields, but they all have a commonality: they have built on the strong foundation they gained at Polk State. A former Polk State Basketball forward and FCSAA state champion, Bart Ross is a Lakeland busines...

Sheriff Grady Judd joins POLKcast to share about his 50 years with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and how it all started right here at Polk State College. Sheriff Judd is a Polk State Distinguished Alumnus who went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Rollins College. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Senior Management Institute for Police, FBI Law Enforcement E...