Honoree Spotlight: Polk State College

Filling The Lane's Voices 2026 Community Organization Award

For more than a decade, Polk State College has been a cornerstone partner in the growth and sustainability of Filling The Lane—helping students move from aspiration to opportunity.

Through annual financial support, the consistent awarding of two scholarships each year, and long-standing access to athletic facilities, Polk State has created meaningful and measurable pathways to higher education for program participants across Winter Haven and Polk County. Their partnership has never been symbolic—it has been active, consistent, and transformational.

At the heart of Polk State College’s mission is access.

With an open-door admissions policy, the College welcomes high school graduates and GED recipients into postsecondary education. Students may begin their academic journey in any term and benefit from flexible options designed for real life—including online, weekend, accelerated, shift-friendly, and mini-semester courses. For students balancing work, athletics, and family responsibilities, this flexibility makes higher education not just possible—but practical.

Polk State also ensures that finances are not the final word on a student’s future. Through grants, scholarships, loans, and institutional support, the College works to remove barriers that might otherwise prevent students from continuing their education. Their clear, student-centered admissions process and comprehensive support resources reflect a deep commitment to guiding students efficiently and successfully toward graduation.

For Filling The Lane members, Polk State College represents more than a campus—it represents opportunity, belief, and partnership. Many students who once stood at a crossroads have found direction because Polk State helped open the door.

Through sustained partnership, commitment to access, and investment in student success, Polk State College continues to play a transformative role in our community.

For these reasons and more, Polk State College is a proud and deserving recipient of the 2026 Filling The Lane Community Organization Award.