Returning to her alma mater as Polk State College’s April 2026 Distinguished Alumnus, Debbie Harsh stood before graduates not simply as a retired banking executive, but as someone who had lived the kind of life she now urged them to build.

Harsh’s story is, in many ways, a familiar one in Polk County. A local student, a working professional, a community volunteer. 

“Today is more than a ceremony,” she told the Spring 2026 Class at Polk State’s 134th commencement. “It’s a hinge moment … when the door behind you closes and a dozen new ones swing open at once.” 

Steven S. Warner, Vice President of Resource Development and Executive Director of the 91�ؿ�, said Harsh was chosen to speak to the graduating class as a Distinguished Alumna because she embodies the spirit of Polk State College.

“Debbie’s story is a powerful example of leadership driven by service, integrity, and a deep commitment to community,” Warner said.

A Winter Haven native, Harsh’s journey began at Polk Community College, where she earned her associate degree while balancing work and family. That experience, she said, changed the trajectory of her life and launched a four-decade career in banking. 

Harsh rose to senior executive roles, including Chief Culture Officer, helping shape leadership and workplace culture across a major financial institution. But her message was not centered on titles or promotions.

Instead, she spoke candidly about the challenges that shaped her long before her professional success, including growing up in a home marked by hardship.

“I was raised in a home where my father struggled with alcoholism,” she said. “My childhood was tough, and I faced many challenges and heartbreaks.” 

But she said those experiences did not define her; her responses did.

“We allow our circumstances to make us bitter or better, and the difference between the two is ‘I,’” Harsh said, emphasizing the power of personal choice. 

That philosophy has carried through every chapter of her life, guiding her from her banking career to her extensive civic leadership, including past presidencies of multiple chambers of commerce and years of service with organizations like United Way of Central Florida. 

Harsh’s impact on the community has earned widespread recognition, including the Banker’s Cup honor as Winter Haven Citizen of the Year. But success is not simply measured by where you end up, rather how you choose to grow through whatever comes your way and how you use that growth to change the lives of others.

“So hear me when I say this,” she told graduates, pausing as the room settled into silence. “In the middle of the pain you didn’t cause… the change you didn’t want… or the reality you never saw coming… your life can still be beautiful.” 

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This December, Polk State College celebrated Williams as its Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, honoring a career that began right here at Polk Community College.

“When I walked the halls of this college, I was filled with ambition, curiosity and, if I’m being honest, a little uncertainty,” Williams said “But Polk State College gave me more than just an education. It gave me direction. It gave me confidence. And most importantly, it gave me values that have guided me every step of the way: integrity, leadership, and service.”

A Lake Gibson High School graduate, Williams earned his associate degree from Polk in 1988 before launching a 34-year career with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. In 2022, Williams stepped into a new chapter as Chief Executive Officer and President of Peace River Center, a nonprofit organization that empowers individuals to reach their full potential by offering behavioral health and emotional wellness services.

“Larry’s story is a powerful example of how Polk State opens doors to opportunity,” said Steven S. Warner, Vice President of Resource Development and Executive Director of the 91�ؿ�. “His dedication to service, first in law enforcement and now in mental health, shows the ripple effect of a Polk State education in strengthening our community.”

Williams started as a part-time deputy and worked his way through every rank to become Chief of the Department of Law Enforcement, shaping public safety across the county.

His decades in law enforcement deepened his understanding of the critical need for mental health services. Under his guidance, Peace River Center has partnered with Polk County to expand access to life-changing care.

Williams also holds a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management from Warner University and a master’s in Public Administration from Troy University. His professional development includes the FBI National Academy, Florida State University’s Certified Public Manager Program, and other prestigious leadership programs.

“Serve with passion and never forget where you came from,” Williams shared with graduates at Polk State’s December commencement ceremony. “Polk State College doesn’t just prepare you for a job, it prepares you for a journey. I can tell you from experience that the journey can be extraordinary.”

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When Kaitlyn Wright received her acceptance letter to Polk State College’s Nursing Program in the summer of 2024, she was stunned. 

“I could not believe it,” she said. “The day had finally come … I was finally going to become a nurse.”

Wright, now in her third semester, is on track to graduate in April 2026 as the first college graduate in her family. Her journey to this point has been shaped by years of caregiving, personal loss and financial hardship. 

But those experiences ultimately led her to pursue nursing as a career.

Originally from St. Cloud, Florida, Wright moved to Polk County in 2020 with her husband, Justin and their two sons, William and Ethan. She describes her life as “beautiful,” but admits that something felt incomplete. 

“I knew that I wanted more for my family; to serve them in a different capacity, mostly from a financial standpoint,” Wright shared at an August event celebrating a $35,278 donation from the Florida College System 91�ؿ� for nursing scholarships.

Her decision to return to school was not taken lightly. Wright began taking prerequisite courses one at a time, funded entirely out of pocket. 

Once accepted into the program, Wright faced a new challenge: the higher cost. 

“The tuition for the Nursing Program was much more expensive,” she explained. “There was also a higher cost for books, supplies, uniforms … the list kept growing and so did my anxiety.”

She applied for scholarships and financial aid, and the support she received changed everything. 

“It made my dream a possibility to be a reality,” Wright said.

Today, Wright is thriving in the Nursing Program and serves as Treasurer for the Florida Nurses Student Association at Polk State. She credits the 91�ؿ� for helping her reach this milestone without incurring student debt. 

“As I am standing in front of you today, I do not have a single student loan,” she exclaimed. “The trajectory of my family’s life has been changed and it’s due to the aid we’ve received.”

Wright plans to continue her education in the RN-BSN program in fall 2026. 

Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “The Polk State 91�ؿ� has been a blessing to me and my family. Their investment in me is also an investment in my kids, and for that I am forever grateful.”

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