Criminal Justice student ShiAnn Griffin stood before a crowd of alumni at the Polk State College Foundation’s inaugural Distinguished Alumni Dinner on Thursday evening to share her story, defined by resilience, rediscovery and a growing commitment to serving her community.
Griffin, a mother of two, began her time at Polk State pursuing an Associate in Science in Digital Media Technology with a specialization in Graphic Design. It was a dream of hers since high school. But, as she recalled with a smile, “graphics from 10 years ago are not what they are today.” Realizing the field had changed, she shifted her focus and successfully completed her Associate of Arts (AA) degree in May 2025.
It was during her AA coursework that Griffin found unexpected direction. Her favorite professor, Carol Martinson, introduced her to community-based learning, a class project that soon became a passion. Through volunteering with organizations like No Limits and spending time with elderly residents at Lakeland Presbyterian Apartments, Griffin discovered the impact of compassion, consistency and community support.
“It also showed me how easily some individuals can be overlooked when those systems fail,” she said. “Seeing those gaps up close made me someone who wants to be part of a solution.”
That desire to help others resurfaced last summer when Griffin found an old high school portfolio containing a newsletter she had once designed announcing her dream major: Criminal Justice. She enrolled in Introduction to Criminology to “just to try it out.” She now says that decision changed everything.
“I was hooked,” Griffin said. “The same desire to serve and protect that guided my community work was the same thing drawing me toward Criminal Justice.”
Griffin is on track to complete her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in May 2027 and aspires to join the Polk County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy before pursuing detective work in Special Victims Unit investigations. Long‑term, she hopes to serve as a private investigator for the United States Selective Service.
“Sometimes life leads you toward places you can be unsure of,” she said, “but listen to yourself, follow your heart and you will end up right where you are supposed to be.”
Following her remarks, Steve Warner, Vice President of Resource Development and Executive Director of the Foundation, took the stage to make a surprise announcement.
“Thank you for sharing your story tonight,” Warner told Griffin, noting the room was filled with alumni who have dedicated themselves to serving their community. “We want to show our appreciation for a future alumna who has already chosen community service. It is my honor to present you with the Polk State College Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship to cover all your courses and books this semester.”
“I am completely blown away and grateful beyond words for this scholarship,” Griffin said.
Scholarships like the Polk State College Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship are possible thanks to donor support. Visit foundation.polk.edu/donate to increase access to quality higher education for students like Griffin.