Polk State College has named Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas as its sixth president on Thursday, approving the state Education Commissioner for the position in a unanimous vote.
Kamoutsas was recommended last month as the sole finalist by the college’s Presidential Search Committee after a national search. Before the board vote, he met with about 250 students, faculty, staff and community members during forums on the college’s Lakeland and Winter Haven campuses.
Board Chair Ann Barnhart said the board was confident in Kamoutsas’s leadership, experience and vision for the college.
“We are confident in Mr. Kamoutsas’s leadership, experience and vision to move our College forward,” Barnhart said. “We look forward to the difference he will make in the lives of our students, faculty, staff and community members, whom we support through the endeavors of our College.”
Kamoutsas has served as Florida’s education commissioner since 2025 and previously held several senior roles at the Florida Department of Education, including chief of staff, general counsel, chief litigator, assistant general counsel and legislative affairs. He also served as deputy chief of staff for Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Before working in state government, Kamoutsas served as staff counsel for the Dade County Police Benevolent Association and as an assistant state attorney in Miami-Dade County.
Kamoutsas said he plans to focus on workforce education, student success, transfer pathways, civil discourse and data-informed decision-making. He also pointed to the nearing completion of the Polk State Haines City-Davenport Campus and the launch of the college’s welding program as key developments for the institution.
“I am committed to building on Polk State’s strong foundation and ensuring that we continue to meet the growing workforce demands of Polk County,” Kamoutsas said.
