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One Year of Leadership: President Alan Smith Reflects on a Transformative First Year at Gadsden State
Posted on Aug 18, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Gadsden Ala. - As Alan Smith completes his first year as president of Gadsden State Community College, his leadership has been defined by three priorities: people, partnerships and progress.
Those priorities have shaped a year of expanding opportunities for students, strengthening relationships across northeast Alabama and advancing initiatives that reinforce Gadsden State's identity as "A College for the Community." At the center of it all has been a simple mission: “Help people.”
"Everything we do comes back to helping people," Smith said. "Whether it's helping a student earn a degree, preparing someone for a new career, supporting our local workforce or strengthening our communities, that's why Gadsden State exists. If we're focused on helping people, everything else falls into place."
Throughout his first year, that philosophy has guided decisions both large and small. From expanding access to higher education and strengthening communication across the college to building new partnerships and investing in programs that create opportunities for students and the communities Gadsden State serves.
People
People have remained at the heart of Smith's first year as president.
One of the college's most significant accomplishments was the launch of Cardinal Promise, an initiative designed to remove financial barriers for qualifying students by covering tuition and required fees after eligible financial aid is applied. The program reflects Gadsden State's commitment to making higher education more accessible and ensuring more students have the opportunity to pursue a college education.
The college also placed an emphasis on strengthening communication with employees and the community. Initiatives such as the Monday Mission newsletter have created new ways to keep faculty and staff informed and connected, while additional outreach efforts, including a quarterly newsletter and a college podcast currently in development, aim to further engage students, alumni and community members.
"Education changes lives, but it's the people who make that transformation possible," Smith said. "Our students inspire us every day, and our faculty and staff are committed to helping each student reach their full potential. That's what makes Gadsden State such a special place."
Throughout the year, Gadsden State celebrated the achievements of its students, faculty and staff, recognizing academic excellence, workforce accomplishments, athletic success and employee contributions. Community College Month showcased the many ways the college changes lives across northeast Alabama.
“Growth and national recognition are outstanding accomplishments for Gadsden State,” said Trudy Guffey, Psychology and Sociology Instructor. “However, it is President Smith’s character that is of great value to our college and community. President Smith is approachable and visible in that he has met with all staff on all campuses and our local schools to listen and share his vision. He is driven and has an excitement for Gadsden State that encourages us do the same. President Smith has respect for the community we serve and challenges us all here at Gadsden State Community College to embody our mission to go out and “help people.”
Partnerships
Building meaningful partnerships has been another defining focus throughout Smith's first year.
The college strengthened relationships with local school systems by meeting with high school principals and guidance counselors across its service area to better connect students with educational opportunities. Gadsden State also expanded transfer opportunities through new agreements with Jacksonville State University and Talladega College, creating additional pathways for students to continue their education after graduation. The college is currently developing partnership agreements with Drake State Community and Technical College and Auburn University.
“Throughout his career, President Smith has always been forward-thinking and on the cutting edge of workforce development,” said Douglas Brasier, Dean of Workforce at Drake State Community and Technical College. “When I moved into my role at Drake State, President Smith immediately reached out to explore ways our institutions could work together. That collaboration is already leading to new opportunities, including an entrepreneurship course that will give students practical experience in developing a business plan, establishing an LLC and using social media to grow a business. We’re also continuing to explore new partnerships that build on the shared HBCU heritage of Gadsden State and Drake State while creating more opportunities for students and communities across north Alabama.”
Beyond higher education, the college continued collaborating with business and industry leaders, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and workforce partners to align academic programs with regional workforce needs. Partnerships with the City of Gadsden also continued to grow, including a collaborative effort to develop the new Athletic Complex and, most recently, a new tennis complex that will serve both Gadsden State student-athletes and the community, reflecting the college's commitment to shared investments that benefit the region.
“President Alan Smith demonstrates a strong and genuine commitment to the students and families of Gadsden City Schools,” said Keith Blackwell, Superintendent for Gadsden City Schools. “His willingness to partner with our schools and invest in opportunities for our students reflects his belief in the importance of education and the future of our community. Through his leadership, President Smith has opened pathways for our current students to explore higher education, develop career opportunities, and envision a successful future right here in our community. We are grateful for his commitment to helping our students succeed.”
"No college succeeds on its own," Smith said. "Our partnerships make us stronger and allow us to better serve our students and our communities. When education, business, industry and community leaders work together, everyone benefits."
Progress
The college's focus on people and partnerships has fueled meaningful progress across every area of the institution.
During the past year, Gadsden State celebrated the opening of its new Surgical Technology facility at the Ayers Campus in Anniston in Calhoun County, providing students with a state-of-the-art healthcare training environment while helping meet regional workforce needs. Renovations to Wallace Hall created updated learning and performance spaces, while the college expanded academic opportunities through continued growth in programs such as Esthetics and strengthened planning for future nursing and STEM initiatives.
Enrollment also reflected the college's continued momentum. Cherokee Campus welcomed the largest nursing class in its history, Adult Education reached record enrollment with more than 2,300 students served, and Gadsden State celebrated one of its strongest fall enrollments in recent years with more than 5,500 students.
“President Smith is a champion of workforce development for our entire region,” said Coleman Lett, Calhoun County Schools Career and Technical Education Coordinator. “During his first year in this position, he wasted no time being boots on the ground and creating opportunities. We are thankful for the strategic partnership between Gadsden State and the Calhoun County Career Academy, which provides countless opportunities for our students.”
The college also concluded its yearlong Celebrate Gadsden State campaign commemorating its 100th anniversary and introduced its institutional message, "A College for the Community," reaffirming its commitment to serving students while supporting economic growth throughout northeast Alabama.
"Progress isn't just measured by new buildings and capital projects," Smith said. "It's measured by the opportunities we create and the lives we impact. Every improvement we make is about ensuring Gadsden State continues to meet the needs of our communities today while preparing for tomorrow."
Looking Ahead
As he begins his second year as president, Smith remains focused on building upon the momentum of the past year by expanding access, strengthening partnerships and creating new opportunities for students.
"The accomplishments of this past year belong to our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners," Smith said. "I'm grateful for everything we've accomplished together, but we're just getting started. There is tremendous opportunity ahead, and I believe the best days for Gadsden State are still to come."
As Gadsden State enters its next chapter, Smith says the college will continue to be guided by the same three priorities that shaped his first year: people, partnerships, progress, and by the simple mission that ties them all together: help people.
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