Public Service Leadership Course
The Public Service Leadership Course honors the legacy and outstanding tradition of civic, public, and nonprofit leadership in Polk County.
Facilitated by Dennis A. Ross, Former Member of the United States Congress and current Director of the American Center for Public Leadership at Southeastern University, this course offers a series of engaging sessions over the course of five days that guide participants in discovering their passions, identifying where they can make the greatest impact, and developing a plan for meaningful long-term community involvement.
This course is free of fee to qualified participants and includes lunch during each class day. Each class day is hosted in a different municipality, highlighting the size and diversity of communities across Polk County while giving participants a firsthand look at leadership in action.
Attendance
Participants must commit to being fully available to attend all five of the day-long sessions listed below. Those unable to make this commitment should apply in a future year.
- Tuesday, March 24th
- Wednesday, April 1st
- Tuesday, April 7th
- Tuesday, April 14th
- Thursday, April 23rd
Selection Process
Class size is limited, and participants will be selected in a highly competitive, essay-based application. A balanced mix of class members that reflects Polk County’s diversity is important to the effectiveness of the program and will influence the selection process.
Application Timeline
- Applications Open: January 30, 2026
- Applications Close: February 27, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
- Class Members Finalized by Friday, March 6, 2026
Note: Applicants may be contacted for additional information
Class members will be selected based on the following criteria:
- Must be a current resident of Polk County.
- Not currently serving in an elected position or actively running for office.
- Submission of an online application, which includes:
- Completion of several short essay questions
- Submitting optional (but strongly encouraged) supplemental information at the end of your application:
- your resume
- up to two letters of recommendation (no more than 2 will be reviewed)
Meet the Facilitator
Dennis A. Ross is a former Member of the United States Congress, former Member of the Florida House of Representatives, and currently serves as the Director of the American Center for Public Leadership at Southeastern University, where he is also a distinguished professor of political science.
A native of Lakeland, Florida, Mr. Ross graduated from Auburn University in 1981. Mr. Ross attended the Cumberland School of Law at Samford
University and in 1987, graduated and became a Member of the Florida Bar. Mr. Ross is also a Member of the Washington DC Bar Association and has an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest ethical rating for a lawyer.
Mr. Ross initially practiced law at Holland & Knight in Lakeland, Florida, for two years. Mr. Ross was then employed as an attorney at Walt Disney World before starting his own law firm, which grew to 27 employees.
In 2000, Mr. Ross was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, where he served for eight years before being term-limited. In the Florida House, he served on various Committees and Chaired the House Committee on Insurance, where he marshaled significant legislation to assist the state of Florida to recover following the devastation of three successive hurricanes crossing the state of Florida in 2004.
In 2010, Mr. Ross was elected to the United States House of Representatives, where he served Florida’s 15th Congressional District for eight years. Mr. Ross served on various House Committees, including the House Financial Services Committee for six years, the House Judiciary Committee, the Education and Workforce Committee, as well as two terms on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, serving two years as the Chair of the Federal Workforce and United States Postal Service Subcommittee.
After retiring from Congress in 2019, Mr. Ross joined Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, as a Distinguished Professor and as the Director of the American Center for Public Leadership (ACPL). The ACPL is dedicated to the mission of advocating for increased civic engagement through the development of research-based curriculum, which teaches civil discourse and promotes citizen participation.
Mr. Ross has published the book “Reaching Across the Aisle”, a reflection of his experiences in politics. In addition, Mr. Ross is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator and serves as a Board Member for the Former Members of Congress organization (FMC) and formerly served on the Board of Trustees at Ariel University in Israel. Mr. Ross was inducted into the Workers’ Compensation Institute’s Florida Workers’ Compensation Hall of Fame for his efforts in that industry over the last 33 years.
He is married to Cindy Hartley Ross, and they have two sons, Shane and Travis, and three grandchildren.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT SPECIFICALLY WILL PARTICIPANTS LEARN?
Through lessons from leadership experts and current Polk County leaders, hands-on activities, and observing public service in action, aspiring leaders will discover how they can elevate their real-world experience in order to accelerate the difference they can make in civic, nonprofit, or elected leadership.
Aspiring leaders will be equipped to define what matters most to them, effectively communicate, and become the person they want to be.
WHAT IS THE COST TO PARTICIPATE?
Each participant will receive a 100% scholarship thanks to the generous support of the program’s investors.
WHAT IS THE REQUIREMENT FOR PARTICIPATION?
Interested leaders must apply by February 27th through the online application. A competitive selection process will ensure a limited class size and individual attention. Participants must commit to being fully available to attend all of the day-long class days. Applicants must be current residents of Polk County and not currently serving in an elected position or running for office. Prior participation in a Polk Vision leadership program is not required.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP COURSE AND THE LEADERSHIP POLK PROGRAM?
Though both programs go through a selective application process, their content will be very different from one another. The Leadership Polk program consists of countywide tours that build awareness on the county at large, including hidden gems, challenges, and opportunities that are faced throughout the different municipalities that make up Polk County.
The Public Service Leadership Course (PSLC), though hosted in different locations throughout the county, will be located at one site per class day and dig deep into the course curriculum. The content is designed for leaders interested in learning more about ways to impact public policy and how to enhance their effectiveness as engaged citizens. PSLC also provides participants with the knowledge and preparation needed to pursue future elected or appointed offices and positions.
Contact Information
Ana Saavedra
Program Manager
ana@polkvision.com
863-797-6176