Polk State College — Winter Haven Campus

Winter Haven is Polk State’s first permanent campus, established on the shore of Lake Elbert after the college opened in 1964. Its buildings now span a broad academic and student-services footprint: administration and financial aid, science and nursing facilities, the J.W. Dowdy Library and Learning Resources, a student center, bookstore, gym and health center, and a fine-arts complex with theatre and gallery.

The campus is a major home for health-sciences, education, STEM and transfer courses. A 2026 renovation of the 51,000-square-foot Science Building updated laboratories and learning spaces used by students in nursing, laboratory sciences and related fields. The college also operates the World Connect Center here, where learners can seek English for Academic Purposes information. Check the course schedule: programs may divide classes, labs and clinical work among multiple locations.

The address is 999 Avenue H NE. Polk State lists weekday office hours of 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Friday; the library, tutoring/testing, gym and public arts events keep separate schedules. The official campus map shows visitor and staff parking areas, lake edges and building labels. Use the student or visitor spaces marked on arrival and verify the specific office before travelling.