Florida Education Commissioner Sole Finalist for Polk State Presidency
Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas emerges as sole candidate to lead Polk State College after less than a year overseeing Florida’s public schools.
WINTER HAVEN, FLORIDA — Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas has emerged as the sole finalist to become president of Polk State College, less than a year after taking over leadership of the state’s public school system.
The college announced the selection Wednesday morning, setting up a potential career transition for Kamoutsas who has served as education commissioner for just 10 months since his appointment by the State Board of Education in July.
“During my time as Commissioner, I have proudly touted [state colleges’] incredible outcomes as they serve more than 680,000 students across the state and provide more than 130,000 degrees and certifications each year,” Kamoutsas wrote on social media.
Leadership Transition at Polk State
The presidential search became necessary after former Polk State College President Angela Falconetti departed in February to serve as interim president at the University of North Florida. The college, with main campuses in Winter Haven and Lakeland, has been operating without a permanent president for more than three months.
“I appreciate the dedication and thoughtful work of the Search Committee through this process,” said Polk State trustee Steve Lester in a news release. “Anastasios distinguished himself as an inspiring, diligent, and highly capable leader with a clear vision for the future of Polk State College.”
Lester added that the board believes Kamoutsas “possesses the experience, character and leadership necessary to guide Polk State into the future.”
Political Background and Education
Before becoming education commissioner, Kamoutsas served as deputy chief of staff to Governor Ron DeSantis from 2023 to 2025. His educational background includes a bachelor’s degree from Florida International University and a law degree from Regent University.
The appointment process involves gubernatorial appointees on the Board of Education, who select education commissioners in Florida’s system. Kamoutsas expressed enthusiasm about the potential transition, saying he is “excited to contribute” “in a new capacity.”
“It is an honor to be blessed with this opportunity, and I am excited to contribute to that work in a new capacity while continuing to support strong partnerships between K-12 schools, colleges, and universities,” he stated.
Family Connections and Next Steps
The potential move would place Kamoutsas closer to family connections in the region. His wife, Rachel Kamoutsas, was appointed by Governor DeSantis in November to serve as a judge on Florida’s Sixth District Court of Appeal, which is headquartered in Lakeland. She previously worked in various roles for the Florida Board of Governors, the body that oversees the State University System.
The Polk State board of trustees plans to vote on Kamoutsas’ recommendation during a June 3 meeting, which he is scheduled to attend. If approved, the transition would mark a significant shift in Florida’s educational leadership structure, moving the current education commissioner from overseeing the entire state system to leading a single institution.
The college serves as part of Florida’s state college system, which according to Kamoutsas provides educational opportunities for hundreds of thousands of students annually across the state.
