Wallace State (Photo from Facebook)
HANCEVILLE, Ala. — More than 30 graduates of the Wallace State Community College Adult Education program walked across the stage Thursday, June 3, to mark their success of receiving their GED. There were around 80 students who earned their GED or high school diploma through the Adult Education program at Wallace State during the 2020-2021 academic year.
While most commonly known for helping students obtain their GED, the Adult Education program also helps students earn their high school diploma and provides classes that offer credentials which can be used for employment.
“The Adult Education program is not only for those without their high school diploma, but also serves adults who need to improve their skills and abilities to be successful in the completion of their chosen program,” said Suzanne Harbin, vice president for advancement and innovation.
The GED is offered to students who dropped out of school before completing required credits needed to graduate. Classes are offered in person, online and at community sites. Vouchers are offered to students completing classes that will pay for the GED exam. Upon receiving their GED, the students receive a 3-credit-hour scholarship to Wallace State.
The high school diploma credential is for students who completed credits needed to graduate but did not pass the high school exit exam. The Adult Education program helps them prepare for and administers the necessary assessments to receive their high school diploma.
The Adult Education program also offers classes that let students earn credentials they can use in the workforce. The program is currently partnering with the Medical Laboratory Technician program to offer the Medical Lab Assistant certificate in two semesters. Medical lab assistants often work in doctors’ offices and urgent care facilities and are responsible for completing waived testing. Waived testing includes pregnancy tests and tests for flu, strep, etc.
The Adult Education program also offers classes in Manufacturing Skill Standards Council, Phlebotomy, OSHA, WorkKeys Certification, Ready to Work and more. Plans are in the works to offer classes for Certified Nursing Assistant.
Skylar Bolton earned her GED and CNA certification last year after years of starting and stopping her efforts. “I’m so thankful for the Wallace State Adult Education program,” she said at the time. “They’ve encouraged me every step of the way, even when I wasn’t receptive. The teachers and staff are top-notch, and they do all they can to help you succeed.”
Adult Education’s efforts to assist students like Bolton fall in line with Gov. Kay Ivey’s Success Plus Initiative. The Success Plus Initiative addresses Alabama’s increasing need for workers with certificates, credentials or degrees in addition to a high school diploma. By 2025, Alabama will need to add 500,000 high-skilled employees to the workforce in order to fill existing industry’s labor needs and compete for new businesses, according to a report produced by the Alabama Workforce Council’s Statewide Educational Attainment Committee.
For more information about Wallace State’s Adult Education program visit www.wallacestate.edu/adulted, call 256-352-8078 or email adulteducation@wallacestate.edu.
HANCEVILLE, Ala. — Wallace State Community College announces it is offering a Start Right Summer Bridge program for qualifying high school seniors that aims to help incoming freshmen transition to college. The program will provide academic, motivational, social and scholarship support in a three-week format to help financially in-need students Start Right on their path to degree completion.
By participating, qualified students could avoid taking developmental level math and/or English courses, saving them both time and almost $2,000 in tuition and fees. They will also earn one college credit by completing Freshman Seminar during the Summer Bridge program.
The main campus in Hanceville will offer General Studies, Career Technical Studies and Health Science Studies options. A second General Studies option will be available at the Oneonta Campus.
“With COVID, we know there are students who may have suffered academically, which could create a barrier to them entering college,” said Title III Coordinator at Wallace State Christine Wiggins. “With the Start Right Summer Bridge program, we’re hoping to level the playing field and make that transition a bit smoother, save them from taking developmental classes that would add time and cost and introduce them to the college in a way that may actually put them ahead of the game when classes start in the fall.”
Applications will be accepted through May 30 for the 2022 Start Right Summer Bridge. Classes will be held four days per week, six hours per day, for three full weeks. Offered as a hybrid option, students will spend two days each week on campus with two days of remote learning online. Lunch will be provided each day the student is on campus.
The program is open to graduating high school seniors in the Wallace State service area who have a math or English ACT of 18 or lower or a GPA lower than 2.75 plus a C or lower in Algebra II and/or English IV if they do not have an ACT score. Income eligibility requirements will be determined during the application process. Students can apply at https://bit.ly/WSCCSummerBridge.
The program is made possible by a $72,338 grant from the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.
