Austin Monk is Wallace State's new director of Workforce Development.
HANCEVILLE – Austin Monk joined Wallace State Community College this month as director of Workforce Development.
In Monk’s new role, he will oversee training for business and industry, short-term non-credit training and continuing education.
“Wallace State strives always to meet the ever-changing talent development needs of our business and industry community,” said Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics. “Cullman and Blount counties are strategically positioned for expansive economic growth and development, and we will continue to sharpen our focus of creating and improving the talent pipeline to assure their success.”
“I look forward to returning to Wallace State and will strive to provide strategic leadership in the role,” Monk said. “My goal is to create as many training opportunities as possible that match high demand, high wage employment trends and, most importantly, the workforce development needs of regional business and industry. It is vital to provide the community with valuable skills, industry certifications, and essential skills necessary to be successful in today’s job market.”
Monk is an alumnus of Wallace State, where he served as president of the WSCC Student Government Association from 2008 to 2009. While a student at Wallace State, he was named New Century Scholar for Alabama, and a Coca-Cola Gold Scholar, prestigious awards presented by Phi Theta Kappa and the Coca-Coca Foundation.
After earning a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public administration with a minor in economic and community development from Auburn University in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Monk served several years as manager of Washington County Workforce Development and later become director of Workforce Development at Bishop State Community College. For most of his time at Auburn, he worked as a research assistant at the University’s Government and Economic Development Institute.
“The specific effort of workforce development is a quick, yet thorough production of skilled labor, supported by industry recognized credentials,” Monk said. “Wallace State is well positioned to provide these efforts and I am excited to lead them.”
He was named a Promising Young Alumni by both the Wallace State Alumni Association and the Cullman City Schools Foundation in 2013. Also in 2013, he was recognized as a “Mover and Shaper” by Business Alabama. In 2014, he completed leadership studies from Harvard University, and post-graduate studies at The University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute.
For more information about workforce development at Wallace State or to schedule training, call 256-352-7874 or email austin.monk@wallacestate.edu
For more information about Wallace State, visit www.wallacestate.edu.
