Florida Education Commissioner Kamoutsas Named Polk State College President
Polk State College trustees unanimously selected Florida’s current Education Commissioner to lead the institution starting this summer.
LAKELAND, FLORIDA — Polk State College trustees approved Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas as the institution’s sixth president during a board meeting Wednesday, with the new leader set to begin his role July 6.
“I am grateful for the overwhelming support from the District Board of Trustees, Presidential Search Committee and College community,” Kamoutsas said in a news release following the vote. “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.”
Community Engagement Process
Before the trustees’ decision, Kamoutsas conducted extensive outreach across the college system. He met with approximately 250 students, faculty, staff, and community members during meet-and-greet sessions held at both the Lakeland and Winter Haven campuses, according to the college.
During these interactions, Kamoutsas outlined his key priorities for the institution, which include workforce education, promoting civil discourse, and implementing data-informed decision-making processes.
Contract Details and Timeline
A college spokesperson confirmed that finalizing Kamoutsas’s employment contract is the next step. The Board of Trustees is expected to vote on the completed contract during their June 29 meeting.
Kamoutsas was previously announced as the sole finalist for the presidency position in May, leading to Wednesday’s unanimous approval.
Political and Educational Background
The incoming president brings extensive experience in Florida’s education and political sectors. Kamoutsas served as deputy chief of staff to Governor Ron DeSantis from 2023 to 2025, providing him with high-level administrative experience in state government.
Before his role in the governor’s office, Kamoutsas held multiple positions within the Florida Department of Education during a period when the state gained national attention for its education policies. His tenure included involvement in controversial decisions such as penalizing school districts that implemented mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The State Board of Education appointed Kamoutsas as education commissioner in July 2025. His family’s ties to Florida’s judicial system were strengthened in November 2025 when Governor DeSantis appointed his wife, Rachel Kamoutsas, to serve as a judge on Florida’s Sixth District Court of Appeal in Lakeland. She previously worked in various capacities for the Board of Governors, which provides oversight for the State University System.
Kamoutsas’s educational background includes attendance at Florida International University, according to the source materials.
