Latest News


04/20/21

Gadsden State celebrates National Community College Month

Gadsden, Ala. – Gadsden State Community College joins with community colleges across the state and nation to celebrate National Community College Month in April. The theme for this year is “Changing Lives. Creating Futures.”

Gadsden State Community College, as a part of Alabama Community College System, serves over 4,000 students in Calhoun, Cleburne, Cherokee, Etowah and St. Clair counties. The College offers 70-plus programs that require two years or less to complete and prepares graduates for direct entry into the workforce. 

Gadsden State offers dual enrollment opportunities for high school students through the ACE Institute, which provides high-achieving students with rigorous courses beyond those offered at the secondary level, increasing college access to those who would not otherwise be college bound and preparing them for high-wage, high-demand occupations.

Opportunities are available for working-age adults to enhance their skills and earn gainful employment through the adult education programs, skills training and continuing education courses offered at Gadsden State.

In spite of the worldwide pandemic in 2020, which caused most colleges to restrict on-campus classes and activities, the ACCS offered 330 degree and certificate programs, served more than 159,000 people (95% of them being from Alabama) and awarded 47,695 credentials.

As the College, along with the rest of the world makes a return to on-campus events, this year’s celebration featured several community events, student workshops and professional development opportunities at various campuses.

Several events are still on tap to conclude the month-long celebration.  The annual Honors Day programs recognizing student achievement will be April 21 at Wallace Hall Fine Arts Center on the Wallace Drive Campus and April 22 at the Cheaha Lecture Hall on the Ayers Campus.  Both events will begin at 1 p.m. The programs are closed to the public and will be live streamed on Gadsden State’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/GadsdenStateCommunityCollegeCardinals.  

The TRIO for Success Club is sponsoring its Annual Rummage Sale for students and community members. This year’s theme, “Recycle, Reshare & Reuse,” coincides with Earth Day April 22.  The event will feature clothing, books, toys, household items and more. Students can attend from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. April 22 and 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. April 23 to shop and fill up a bag for a cash only purchase of $5 with their student ID.  Both students and community members are invited to attend from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. April 24.  The sale will be at the Beck Conference Center on the Wallace Drive Campus. Masks or face coverings and social distancing are required for all events.

The Continuing Education Program is offering CPR training from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 23 and 30 for anyone interested in learning the life-saving technique. The training sessions will be held at Jarvis Hall on the East Broad Campus. Cost is $60.   Guidelines for on-campus classes include wearing a mask and practicing social distancing as much as possible.  To register for any of the Continuing Education classes, visit www.gadsdenstate.edu/continuinged. For more information, please call Clough at 256-549-8462 or email pclough@gadsdenstate.edu.

The Gadsden State Music Department is hosting its annual “Evening of Fine Arts” at 7 p.m. April 22 at the Mort Glosser Amphitheater in Gadsden. The Gadsden State Show Band and A Capella Choir will feature traditional, jazz, R&B, country and other musical styles.  This year’s guest artists include Dr. Dave Camwell, saxophonist/director of Jazz studies and saxophone at Troy University; Dr. David Phy, trombonist/director of bands at Birmingham Southern College; and Tyson Hall on trumpet, band director at Anniston High School.  Sponsors for the event include the Gadsden State Division of Fine Arts, Music Department and Greater Gadsden Area Tourism.  The event is free and open to the public.

The Gadsden State Alumni Association will host a welcome event for the College’s new president, Dr. Kathy Murphy, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 29 at the Gadsden State cafeteria on the Wallace Drive Campus.  Attendees may purchase lunch for $5. For more information on the event and lunch contact Jessica Brown at jmbrown@gadsdenstate.edu or 256-549-8377.

The primary goal of Community College Month is to increase awareness and understanding of the value of community colleges both locally and nationally through grassroots, localized outreach. It seeks to promote and advance appreciation for and reduce stigmas related to community colleges and ultimately welcome more students to take advantage of the career opportunities provided at an affordable cost.

Gadsden State Community College remains committed to its mission of preparing students from all backgrounds for success through quality education, innovative workforce development and inclusive community and global engagement.

For more information on Community College Month, contact Jackie Edmondson at 256-549-8224 or visit “Latest News” at https://www.gadsdenstate.edu/about-us/latest-news.cms.