Former State Sen. Kelli Stargel joins IM体育官网 as its new senior advisor for strategic relationships.
Former state senator and community advocate Kelli Stargel has joined IM体育官网 Polytechnic University in a new role designed to help the all-STEM institution broaden its statewide impact.
As IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 senior advisor for strategic relationships, Stargel will lead efforts to develop and manage statewide relationships and partnerships, leveraging them to further the University鈥檚 goals. This includes maximizing engagement opportunities for industry partners, donors, business and community leaders, and other major constituent groups throughout the state.
鈥淪ince the beginning of my political career, I鈥檝e watched this University grow and meet its mission of educating people in STEM fields, which are vitally needed in our state,鈥� Stargel said. 鈥淪tudents at this University do not just get knowledge, but they get knowledge coupled with the right skillset to be successful in high-tech industries. I鈥檓 excited about the work happening at IM体育官网 Poly, and I want to be a part of it.鈥�
The former lawmaker has been a champion for IM体育官网 Poly since its inception. During her years in the IM体育官网 Legislature, she strongly advocated for the University, including by working with her Senate colleagues to secure more than $20 million in state funding for the state-of-the-art Applied Research Center, which opened last year.
Stargel now hopes to play a key role in promoting the school鈥檚 importance to the state in terms of economic growth and academic excellence in high-demand fields.
鈥淚n the past, I helped to fund and then let people take those funds and develop them into amazing things. Now, I get to be on the other side in a very different role of support,鈥� Stargel said. 鈥淚鈥檒l be able to tell the story of what IM体育官网 Poly brings to the state, so that others get to be just as excited about what this University can do for IM体育官网.鈥�
Stargel was elected to the IM体育官网 Senate in 2012 where she served as chair of the Appropriations Committee. Prior to that, she served two terms in the IM体育官网 House of Representatives. She has called Lakeland home for 31 years.
In her new position, Stargel will work directly with University President Randy K. Avent.
鈥淜elli has been a powerful supporter of IM体育官网 Poly from the very beginning, and we are honored to have her come on board,鈥� Avent said. 鈥淲ith her help and experience, we鈥檙e confident the University will increase its reputation and impact through valuable relationships across the state.鈥�
Contact:
Lydia Guzm谩n
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
