A member of the Polk State College staff since 1998, Yulonda Bell is the Dean of Student Services. She has served as Faculty and Staff Athletics Representative since July 2025.
A fervent supporter of Polk State Athletics, Bell has been instrumental in making sure student-athletes are aware of the resources available to them. Former Polk State Basketball guard Alex Vertus once said that Bell “became like family” during his time at the College.
The first member of her family to graduate from college, Bell received her Associate in Arts from Polk State. She would later earn a bachelor's degree in organizational management from Warner University and a master’s in management and leadership from Webster University.
Born in Bartow, Bell first joined the Polk State staff in 1998 as an administrative assistant for Health Sciences. During her time at Polk State, Bell has moved up through the ranks to Assistant Registrar to Associate Dean of Student Services to her current position.
In March 2022, Bell was recognized by U.S. Rep. Darren Soto during Women’s History Month. Bell’s biography was read into the congressional record on the U.S. House of Representatives floor by Soto. Her biography was entered into the U.S. Library of Congress.
Later that year, Bell participated in the American Association of Community College’s 2022 John E. Roueche Future Leaders Institute, a rigorous and invigorating program focused on leadership development. As Faculty and Staff Athletics Representative, Bell serves as a liaison between the Athletics Department and other key departments throughout the College.
