Wallace State employee James Tidwell at Lion Central points out to a student where to obtain a Lion Card on the first day of fall semester classes.
HANCEVILLE – Wallace State Community College’s fall semester is underway. Incoming freshmen are enrolled in postsecondary courses for the first time, while others may be entering their final semester before graduation.
No matter the step in a students’ academic journey, the fall semester is a new beginning at both the Hanceville and Oneonta campuses.
“Wallace State seems to have everything I need and want in a college,” said freshman Zackery Jackson, a Buckhorn High graduate. “I came to Wallace State for the mechatronics and electronics technology program. I used to get in trouble as a kid for taking things apart and putting them back together, so it should be a good fit.”
Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics enjoys the excitement surrounding the outset of each fall semester.
“It’s one of my favorite times of the year along with commencement. Both are new beginnings in the sense you are either beginning a fresh step in your life through education or you are about to enter the workforce,” Karolewics said. “The breadth of majors (is) so much broader for our students than they previously have been, and technology has certainly had a significant impact on the way our students learn and the depth of their learning. We have simulations in many of our programs and access to the best and brightest instructors who are energized about their craft.”
It’s not too late to make your new beginning in Hanceville or Oneonta. Registration for the fall semester continues through Tuesday. Wallace State offers day and night courses and also full online degree options in general studies, liberal arts, child development, computer science and more. You can register for fall semester classes here: http://www.wallacestate.edu/register-now.
Wallace State is one of the fastest growing community colleges in the nation, with an enrollment of 5,000 or more, according to Community College Week and the first-choice community college among Alabama high school seniors taking the ACT. Wallace State is a perennial Military Friendly School, ranked among the top three in the South for Workforce Development by Southern Business and Development magazine and one of the top producers of healthcare professionals as deemed by Community College Week.
Wallace State has also implemented a new strategic plan, and is one of 30 community colleges in the U.S. selected to lead the Pathways Project. Pathways involves a rethinking and redesign of the of the student experience from enrollment through completion. Through Pathways, students are encouraged to choose a broad field of study from one of four metamajors – Liberal Arts/General Studies, Applied Technologies, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), or Health Science – at the outset of their college career.
Jessica Andres is among the Wallace State students enrolled in college for the first time.
“I thought it was important to start fresh away from home a bit. I’m excited about my classes,” said Andres, a Boaz native who’s taking 13 credit hours.
So is sophomore Will Reinhardt.
“I went to a four-year college previously and a classroom of 300 people wasn’t for me, especially right out of high school. I love the family atmosphere at Wallace State and the close connection you can make with your classmates and instructors. That’s important to me,” said Reinhardt, a Birmingham native.
Wallace State offers multiple opportunities for students to be involved on campus and in the community with its clubs and organizations. The Rotaract Club, one of the newer campus organizations, is already recruiting new members as is the BASS fishing club and more.
Learning Communities classes are scatted among the Wallace State course curriculum, helping students become engaged in campus activities and introducing them to new ideas and experiences as they pursue their academic goals. Wallace State has Learning Communities events planned each month for it students.
For the ninth year in a row, Wallace State employees and students are participating in a campus-wide initiative, called the Common Read project. This year’s selection is “Cycle of Hope” by Trisha Downing. Wallace State will have the privilege to host Downing on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 9:30 a.m., at the Betty Leeth Haynes Theatre.
Wallace State athletics begins a new campaign this month as the volleyball team seeks its ninth consecutive Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) championship this season. Wallace State’s cross county program has been reestablished and will begin competing this fall.
For more information about Wallace State, visit www.wallacestate.edu.
