12/20/24
Smith accepts vice president position at Gadsden State
Gadsden, Ala. – Alan Smith is taking on added responsibility and a new title after being named the vice president of Capital Projects, Community Relations and Workforce Development at Gadsden State Community College.
In this new role, Smith will be responsible for assisting in the development of goals and strategies for capital improvements, enhancing community and public relations, promoting workforce development efforts and other administrative responsibilities. He will also ensure the availability of appropriate workforce training opportunities to meet regional needs and further Gadsden State’s mission to support local economic growth.
“I am honored to accept this position at Gadsden State,” Smith said. “I look forward to continuing to work with faculty, staff and community leaders to strengthen our workforce development initiatives, improve our facilities and build stronger relationships within our community. Gadsen State will continue providing high-quality, accessible education and training that meets the needs of our students and the industries in Alabama.”
Smith has been the dean of Workforce Development since 2019. In the role, he oversaw Engineering Technologies, Applied Technologies, Adult Education Services, Continuing Education and the Skills Training Division. As the vice president, he will continue supervising those departments.
“I’m grateful to be able to continue serving Gadsden State as we work together to create new opportunities for growth, innovation and success,” he said.
Over $36 million has been invested in career technical education under his leadership and enrollment continues to increase. He was instrumental in growing the East Alabama Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) and creating the Consortium of Machining Education Training (CoMeT). The two-year technical degree programs combine cutting-edge curriculum with paid working experiences at world-class manufacturing facilities. FAME students focus on advanced manufacturing and industrial automation while CoMeT students are trained in Precision Machining.
Most recently, Smith was integral in securing funding for the new Advanced Manufacturing and Workplace Skills Training Center on the East Broad Campus. The $24 million facility provides a high-tech, hands-on learning environment for students seeking careers in high-demand, high-wage industries, including Mechatronics, Industrial Automation, Precision Machining, Mechanical Design Technology, Additive Manufacturing and Electronics Engineering.
Smith has also been appointed by Gov. Kay Ivey to serve on the Region 2 Workforce Development Committee and to serve as the subject matter expert of the Architecture and Construction Committee for the Alabama Committee on Credentialing and Career Pathways.
Smith earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business and Economics in 1992 from Auburn University. In 1994, he was awarded a Master of Science in Education from Auburn followed by a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Alabama.
Smith started his career as an agriscience teacher at Hokes Bluff High School, where he worked for 11 years before opening his own construction and cabinet making business. In 2012, he returned to education as the building construction teacher at the Marshall County Technical School. In 2016, he was hired as the building construction instructor and coordinator of Alabama Simulated Workplace at the Etowah County Career Technical Center.
Smith has been honored many times for his outstanding work in education. Earlier in his career, he was named the Teacher of the Year at the Etowah County School System, Hokes Bluff High School, Marshall County Technical School and Etowah County Career Technical School. He was also named Alabama’s Most Outstanding Agriscience Technology Teacher.
In 2023, he was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Administrators from the Alabama Community College System. In May, he received the Excellence in Post-Secondary Administration Award at the Etowah Chamber’s Excellence in Education Awards Ceremony. In November, he was appointed chair of the Workforce Commission for ACCS.
Alan Smith, vice president of Capital Projects, Community Relations and Workforce Development at Gadsden State Community College.