Polk State panel will kick off Women’s History Month celebration

Thursday, May 2, 2023 — Polk State College is celebrating Women’s History Month with a panel of
influential women on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at noon in the Winter Haven Campus Fine Arts
Theatre. The panelists include:
– Zelda Abram, Chief Financial Officer for MidFlorida Credit Union
– Cheryl Conley, Professor of Nursing for Polk State College
– Capt. Theresa Garcia, Director of the Polk State Kenneth C. Thompson Institute of Public Safety
– Dr. Paula Hopkins, Transformational Executive and Senior Sales Director for PepsiCo
– Kelli Stargel, Senior Advisor for Strategic Relationships for Florida Polytechnic University and
former Florida senator

The panel will be moderated by Polk State President Angela Garcia Falconetti. Panelists will discuss their
careers as well as the importance of maintaining a strong talent pipeline. They will also share about the
soft skills employers look for and the opportunities available at their companies and organizations, which
will be of particular interest to Polk State’s students.
The event includes lunch and is free and open to the public.

About Polk State College
Located in Winter Haven, Florida, and established in 1964, Polk State College is a multi-campus institution
serving more than 14,000 students with Bachelor of Applied Science, Bachelor of Science, Associate in
Arts, and Associate in Science degrees, as well as 9,000 individuals in a wide range of certificate and
workforce training programs. The College also operates three charter high schools.
Polk State’s advantages include small class sizes; hands-on learning; dedicated faculty; day and night
classes; online options; affordable tuition; excellent financial aid; and a diverse community and vibrant
student life, including fine arts opportunities, clubs, and intercollegiate athletics.