Over the course of three semesters, the grant supported a pilot initiative at three Polk County high schools focused on helping students navigate the path to higher education. The program experienced remarkable growth in its first year. Between January and May 2025, Polk Vision served 34 unique students. As awareness and demand increased, participation grew dramatically. From August 2025 through April 2026, the program served 202 unique students across the three pilot schools, representing a 500 percent increase in student engagement.
Building on this success, Polk Vision launched a sustainability plan aimed at expanding college enrollment support throughout Polk County. In addition to serving the pilot schools, the organization began offering college enrollment workshops at other campuses, including Auburndale High School’s Civics Academy and the Pace Center for Girls. The positive response from students and educators has been encouraging, and all three pilot high schools have already invited Polk Vision to continue the program during the 2026-27 school year.
Empowering Students to Find Their Voice
One of the most impactful elements of the initiative has been helping students build confidence in telling their own stories through the college application essay process. This year, creative writing professors from Southeastern University partnered with Polk Vision to lead application essay workshops designed to help students reflect on their experiences, strengthen their writing skills, and develop authentic personal narratives.
The success of this partnership extended beyond the classroom. On May 7, 2026, Polk Vision and Southeastern University presented their collaborative model at the Florida College Access Network’s Talent Strong Florida Summit in Tampa.
The presentation, Finding Voice: Community Partnerships that Build Postsecondary Confidence and Workforce-Ready Communication Skills, highlighted how higher education faculty, nonprofit leaders, and K-12 educators can work together to support students during the college application process. Through hands-on workshops focused on essay drafting, reflection, revision, and authentic self-expression, students not only produced stronger application essays but also gained confidence in their communication abilities.
The session provided conference attendees with a replicable workshop model, sample activities, and practical strategies for building high-impact partnerships between colleges and universities, nonprofits, and school districts.
Looking Ahead
As participation continues to grow, Polk Vision remains committed to helping students explore postsecondary opportunities and successfully navigate the transition from high school to college. By connecting schools, community partners, and higher education institutions, the program is creating pathways that empower students to pursue their goals with greater confidence and clarity.
The continued expansion of these efforts demonstrates what is possible when organizations work together to remove barriers, increase access, and support student success beyond graduation.
