Polk State Celebrates 90 Days with President Kamoutsas

When Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas became Polk State College’s sixth president on July 6, his work started with the people, not a distant vision.

A Miami native, grandson of Cubans who fled communism and firstW generation college graduate raised by a hardworking single mother, he calls education the great equalizer that “opens doors, creates possibilities and empowers individuals to achieve the American Dream.” That deep-rooted belief now guides his leadership of Polk County’s largest-serving higher education and workforce training institution.

He was selected after a national search of more than 100 applicants with a unanimous vote by the District Board of Trustees. Before his official first day, he spent time with students, faculty, staff and community members — and insisted they call him Stasi. He also joined interim President Dr. Anne Kerr to launch a Presidential Ambassadors Program to amplify student voices.

“His immediate focus on the students signaled the culture President Kamoutsas has already deepened in his first 90 days of service,” Polk State District Board of Trustees Chair Greg Littleton said. “His vision ensures that our College puts students first, upholds service as a daily practice and commits to continuous improvement.”

His first 90 days became titled Where Eagles Soar, which includes three pillars: strengthening workforce education through innovation and partnerships; ensuring students of all backgrounds can achieve greatness; and developing responsible citizens.

INNOVATION AND PARTNERSHIPS

Strategic articulation agreements are intentional, instrumental ways to support students in moving seamlessly to universities and professional careers.

Polk State and Florida Polytechnic University announced the Eagle to Phoenix Pathway on July 30, creating a transfer pathway to 10 STEM degrees including aerospace engineering, cybersecurity and physics.

“Working with President Kamoutsas has been a true pleasure and a benefit for our students from both institutions,” said Dr. Devin Stephenson, President of Florida Poly. “Together, we are creating more opportunities for students to achieve their goals and make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond.”

In August, Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue named Polk State a preferred partner for training the workforce for Advanced Air Mobility – the emerging “flying car” sector.

“I was also proud to announce that FDOT is partnering with Embry Riddle and Polk State to help Florida students prepare for exciting career opportunities in the next generation of transportation,” DeSantis said. “Florida has the innovation-friendly policies, the universities and research institutions, the infrastructure and forthcoming infrastructure investments and the talent needed to become the premier location for emerging transportation technology.” Governor DeSantis subsequently announced a $2 million Florida Job Growth Grant to launch a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Program at Polk State and support national security through shipbuilding, aerospace and supply chain industries. The program will include an 80,000-square-foot driving pad to meet local demand of roughly 1,000 truckdriver openings a year.

President Kamoutsas also renewed the College’s registered apprenticeship program in cybersecurity with the Florida Department of Education, providing students with paid, on-thejob training for high-demand occupations.

ENSURING GREATNESS FOR ALL STUDENTS

President Kamoutsas’ is committed to ensuring students from all backgrounds can achieve greatness, becoming the highly skilled workforce and leaders Florida needs. He has visited various classes and programs to collect feedback from students on how services can be enhanced.

“He is here to listen, and he is here to make changes that support us,” said Christopher Jean Pierre, a Presidential Ambassador pursuing an Associate in Arts degree who serves as Vice President of the Black Student Union. “It has been an honor to work with President Stasi, and we thank him for putting students first.”

Based on student feedback, President Kamoutsas is making intentional organizational changes, strengthening customer service and increasing opportunities for students.

“When students walk through our doors, it is imperative that regardless of their economic backgrounds, they feel valued,” said President Kamoutsas. “By ensuring that all employees of the College are putting students at the center of every decision we make, academic success will be achieved.”

In January, he will open the Polk State Haines City-Davenport Campus, where Central Florida’s first public higher education interdisciplinary simulation hospital will be housed. This will expand access to more students in the fastestgrowing region of Polk County, saving them time and money as quality higher education and workforce training will be closer to their homes.

President Kamoutsas is also committed to Polk State’s Florida Collegiate Purple Star Campus designation, which recognizes the College’s dedication to supporting active-duty members, veterans and their families.

“Thank you to Polk State for being a Purple Star Campus and for supporting veterans like me to better themselves and continue careers outside of the military,” shared veteran and EMT student Hunter Nix, who President Kamoutsas invited to speak at the College’s annual Convocation. “I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

DEVELOPING RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS

The Presidential Ambassadors Program is comprised of 11 students ranging from 17 to 56. They carry an average GPA of 3.7 and come from collegiate high schools, workforce programs, aerospace, business, computer science, nursing and the arts. Their feedback will shape institutional initiatives.

“Although President Stasi has only been at Polk State for a short time, he has made a genuine effort to get to know us as individuals, and that personal investment has made us feel seen and valued,” said Presidential Ambassador Da’Nyra Richardson, a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Administration student.

On August 24, Kamoutsas put forth an institutional neutrality statement, which was unanimously adopted by the Board, maintaining a neutral position on matters unrelated to the College’s operations and core business – education – while promoting intellectual diversity, freedom of inquiry and civil discourse.

On September 17, Polk State hosted Congressman Byron Donalds (R) and Florida Senator Rosalind Osgood (D) to speak at Constitution Day events on the Lakeland and Winter Haven campuses.

“We believe our students benefit immensely from hearing directly from elected officials, especially for our students who represent the next generation of leaders in Florida,” Kamoutsas said.

BEYOND THE 90 DAYS

President Kamoutsas believes in removing barriers for students and providing the support they need to reach their goals. He has emphasized data-informed decisions and Polk State’s customer service mentality as becoming “the Publix of higher education.”

As he looks ahead to the next 90 days and beyond, he commits to strengthening student services, additional innovative partnerships and expanding opportunities for students.

“With an estimated 1 million residents by 2030, workforce demands continue to grow,” he said. “As Polk County’s No. 1 higher education and workforce training provider, we are committed to meeting the needs of our community. That is my promise.