Welcome to Polk State College's official podcast, POLKcast, where listeners have the opportunity to hear the stories of students, faculty, and staff. In Season 1, POLKcast explores the hobbies of Polk State faculty and staff, giving students an inside look into the lives of their professors and College employees.
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, tutoring, and study groups. Guests for the episode include:
They share practical advice for students on how to persevere and succeed, even if they start their college journey feeling behind. This episode offers valuable tips and resources for students looking to overcome early academic struggles and set themselves up for success.
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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, a former Xi Pi Vice President of Service and caretaker for her mother during her battle with cancer, offers encouragement and advice to students in similar situations, sharing her journey and the strategies that helped her succeed. Anthony Cornett, Xi Pi Chapter Advisor and Professor of Biology, shares how students have successfully navigated the delicate balance between their academic and caregiving duties. Through these perspectives, the episode provides practical solutions and emotional support for student caregivers.
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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 challenges that contribute to stress, including balancing academic demands, personal responsibilities, and social life.
Students Alijah Martinez, Xi Pi Vice President of Fellowship, and Rebecca Pace, Xi Pi Treasurer, share their personal experiences with emotional stress and the coping strategies they’ve found most effective, such as mindfulness, exercise, and time management.
Kim Pearsall, Director of Disability & Counseling Services at Polk State College, offers expert insight into how students can recognize emotional stress early and benefit from campus resources such as the BayCare Student Assistance Program which provides Polk State students with free, confidential access to counseling services. This episode highlights valuable tools for students to manage stress, stay focused, and maintain balance in their college journey.
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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 Pi Chapter Advisor and Professor of Biology, discusses the various pressures faced by student-parents and highlights the resources available to help navigate this journey, from flexible class schedules to childcare options. This POLKcast episode provides valuable perspectives on how to successfully bridge the family-college divide. Whether you’re a current or prospective student-parent, this episode offers helpful tips and inspiration for juggling both responsibilities.
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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.
Listeners will also hear powerful stories from student guests, Madison Desoto and Alyssa Hall, who open up about their personal experiences with mental health struggles and the importance of reducing stigma on campus. Tune in to learn more about how students can access support and promote mental health awareness in their communities.
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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 the cost of attending college and preparing for classes. With a focus on raising awareness and providing actionable solutions, the Xi Pi Chapter invites a range of expert guests and community leaders to offer valuable resources and guidance for student success.
This season, POLKcast is more than just a conversation—it’s a resource for students to find the support they need to thrive at Polk State College and beyond. In this introductory episode, Johnson sits down with Polk State College President Angela Garcia Falconetti to announce the latest season of POLKcast.
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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, and how Polk State’s student life fosters a family-like culture.
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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 resources. He also serves as Team Leader of Polk State’s Up to Us chapter, which advocates for a sustainable fiscal future and educates students on financial responsibility.
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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.
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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 experience, and his career accomplishments in the final episode of POLKcast’s third season.
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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 Polk State Distinguished Alumna.
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