Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas has emerged as the lone finalist to be Polk State College’s next President.
It’s the latest example of a Gov. Ron DeSantis ally getting a high-profile education gig without any competition.
The Winter Haven school is expected to consider hiring Kamoutsas at its June 3 meeting.
“Anastasios distinguished himself as an inspiring, diligent, and highly capable leader with a clear vision for the future of Polk State College,” District Board of Trustees member Steve Lester said. “We are confident that he possesses the experience, character and leadership necessary to guide Polk State into the future.”
Lester led the presidential search committee, whose members included headline-grabbing Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
The committee conducted a national search and received 100 applications for the job, B did not name any other finalists other than Kamoutsas, according to a school news release.
DeSantis has sought to reshape higher education in Florida. Kamoutsas’ predecessor as Florida Education Commissioner, Manny Diaz Jr., was named the sole finalist to lead the University of West Florida earlier this year before being hired.
DeSantis’ then-Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez was the only finalist to be President of Florida International University before earning that gig.
Currently in Florida, the public is kept in the dark during school presidential searches. Only names of the finalists can be released publicly. The full list of applicants is confidential, meaning the public has no idea about the scope and quality of the other candidates. And increasingly during DeSantis’ administration, schools have produced a single finalist for the job.
Last year, the House passed a bill to add more transparency and make all the candidates’ applications public. But the measure died in the Senate and DeSantis had also threatened to veto it.
“I am thankful to the search committee for naming me the sole finalist to become Polk State College’s next president,” Kamoutsas said on X.
“Florida College System institutions play a critical role in preparing students for in-demand, high-wage positions. … 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.”
Kamoutsas’ credentials include a law degree from Regent University, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Florida International University and an Associate of Arts in Political Science from Florida State University.
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