The Polk State College Presidential Search Committee officially recommended Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas as the sole finalist for the college’s sixth president on May 13, 2026.
Kamoutsas has served as Florida’s Commissioner of Education since July 2025, succeeding Manny Diaz Jr. (who is now the president of the University of West Florida). Before becoming commissioner, Kamoutsas held high-level roles within the Florida Department of Education, including Chief of Staff and General Counsel, and served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Ron DeSantis.
Key Details of the Transition:
- Next Steps: Kamoutsas is scheduled to visit the college on June 3, 2026, for forums with students, faculty, and staff.
- Final Decision: The District Board of Trustees will meet at 4 p.m. that same day at the Polk State Center for Public Safety to consider the committee’s recommendation.
- The Search Process: The committee selected Kamoutsas from a pool of over 100 applicants. Notably, recent changes to board rules removed the requirement for the president to hold a doctorate, which cleared the way for his candidacy.
This move follows a recent trend in Florida where high-ranking state officials and political allies have been appointed to leadership roles within the state’s college and university systems.
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