Polk State College has hired former Florida senior chancellor Kevin O’Farrell to lead its workforce programs as the college rolls out new career training, including a commercial driver’s license program backed by a $2 million state grant.
O’Farrell started Monday as executive vice president of workforce and strategic initiatives after serving as senior chancellor for higher education and workforce development at the Florida Department of Education. He will oversee Polk State’s workforce-focused associate and bachelor’s degrees, apprenticeships, internships, online education and programs at the JD Alexander Center, Clear Springs Advanced Technology Center, Airside Centers and Haines City-Davenport Campus.
His arrival comes two weeks after FloridaCommerce awarded Polk State $2 million to start CDL training at Clear Springs in Bartow. The college plans to build an 80,000-square-foot driving pad, provide financial assistance to qualifying students and work with employers in logistics, transportation, aviation, aerospace, manufacturing and defense.
CareerSource Polk estimates the region has about 1,000 annual openings for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers. Polk County also sits along Interstate 4, has more than 300 miles of rail and lies within 90 miles of three seaports, giving the new program a large local logistics market to draw from.
“His experience across workforce development, the Florida College System, and academic affairs will be invaluable as we expand workforce programs, apprenticeships, internships, and career pathways,” Polk State President Anastasios Kamoutsas said.
Before becoming senior chancellor, O’Farrell led the state Division of Career and Adult Education. He also spent eight years at Pasco-Hernando State College, including as provost and president of the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.
O’Farrell previously served on the CareerSource Florida board, chaired the State Apprenticeship Advisory Council and chaired the Florida Postsecondary Reciprocal Distance Education Coordinating Council. He holds a doctorate in philosophy and master’s degrees in public administration and political science from the University of South Florida, along with a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal and organizational communication from Toccoa Falls College.
The hire is part of a broader leadership realignment at Polk State. Reggie Webb, senior vice president for student services and campus operations, will take on a larger role in student retention while continuing to oversee facilities and security. Provost Amy Bratten will remain the college’s chief academic officer, with more focus on recruitment, advising, transfer pathways, academic quality and graduation.
O’Farrell said Polk County is projected to reach 1 million residents by 2030, increasing pressure on local employers to find trained workers. “Polk State College is well positioned to develop the talent needed to drive economic opportunity for the region,” he said.