Wallace State's Banner Year: Top 10 Ranking, Record Enrollment, and Major Capital Investments

Hanceville, Ala. — In 2024, Wallace State Community College under the leadership of its esteemed president, Dr. Vicki Karolewics, was recognized as one of 10 national finalists for the prestigious 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, experienced record-breaking enrollment, and announced capital investments of more than $55 million that will enhance the college’s educational facilities and expand program offerings in coming years, and hosted successful college and programmatic reaffirmation of accreditation visits. By all accounts, the college has just finished one of the best years in its history.

"Wallace State’s record enrollment and the numerous national accolades we’ve received this year reflect the dedication of our faculty, staff, and students, and the support of our alumni, friends, partners, residents, elected officials, our legislative and Congressional delegations, the Alabama Community College System, and so many others. In this season of gratitude, I thank you, all, for supporting our mission of learning that transforms lives and communities," said Dr. Karolewics.

A recent statewide economic impact study showed that for every dollar invested in Wallace State, more than $11.50 is returned to society. The college annually adds approximately $212.6 million to the local economy and supports 3,348 jobs across its four-county service area, providing an economic boost to the region on par with hosting the World Series 27 times, and larger than the area’s entire utilities industry.

 

Growth in Student Success

The college experienced record enrollment for the Fall 2024 semester, with 6,473 students registered, besting the previous record fall enrollment of 6,391, which occurred more than a decade ago in Fall 2010. Approximately 2,450 degrees and certificates were awarded to the Class of 2024, including 1,100 during the May commencement ceremony, which had near capacity attendance. The Adult Education program also experienced growth, educating more than 1,000 students between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. Retention rose for the third consecutive year to 68 percent, among the highest in the nation, and professional licensure and job placement rates for programs across the college are better than 90 percent.

 

National Recognition

In June, the college was named a finalist for the $1 million 2025 Aspen Prize by the Aspen Institute, becoming the first in the Alabama Community College System to reach the top 10 level for the prestigious prize given out every two years. In the three previous cycles, the college was named among the top 150 community college in the award process. The recognition highlights the institution's commitment to outstanding performance in critical areas such as teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer and bachelor's attainment, workforce success, and equitable outcomes for students of color and low-income students. The winner of the Aspen Prize will be announced April 18, 2025.

  

Pacesetting Leadership

In April, Dr. Karolewics was recognized by the American Association of Community College for her service on the Board of Directors, where she served two three-year terms, including serving on the Executive Board. In October, Dr. Karolewics was selected as one of 25 innovative leaders nationwide to participate in the Aspen Institute’s Presidents Fellowship. This year-long professional development program focuses on improving access, completion, and post-graduation success for students. She was also recognized for her leadership by the Birmingham Business Journal and Business Alabama.

“Dr. Karolewics’ leadership and dedication to excellence has fostered a culture of inspiration and innovation among employees and created an environment where students thrive. Under her leadership, student enrollment and engagement have surpassed pre-pandemic levels and placed Wallace State among the most highly regarded institutions in the nation. We are incredibly fortunate to have her as our president,” said one Wallace State student services employee, echoing the sentiments of many.

 

Growth and Expansion

In February, Wallace State opened a Workforce Training Center on the campus of Rehau in Cullman offering a focus on short-term programs across diverse high-demand fields. In August, at the grand opening of the Center for Welding Technology and Innovation Center, the college announced more than $48 million in capital investment, including a $35 million STEM Gateway Building that will house all the college’s first-year student in mathematics, English, humanities, speech and chemistry, as well as the Culinary Arts program, a digital learning center and a tutoring center. A new Automotive Technology facility and a new facility for the Machine Tool Technology program were also announced.

The college also announced new program offerings related to electric vehicles (EV), including options in Advanced Automotive Technology, Diesel Technology and Mechatronics, Electronics and Robotics.

 

Record Fundraising

In November, the Wallace State Future Foundation set a record at the 20th Student Investment Luncheon by raising $385,000 for scholarships for WSCC students. Almost $180,000 was generated through seven new scholarships, $146,000 through event sponsorship and more than $60,000 during the live and silent auctions. The college announced more than $3 million in new grants from the Alabama Community College System, Gene Haas Foundation, TVA, and the NJCAA Foundation, and a $1.5 million Congressional earmark through Congressman Aderholt’s office for a new Advanced Technology Center for Electric and Autonomous Vehicle. That is in addition to continuing grants and special allocations from U.S. Department of Education, Department of Transportation, Department of Justice, Appalachian Regional Commission, National Science Foundation and the Women’s Fund of Alabama and others for Adult Education, Perkins, Student Support Services, Educational Talent Search, Title III, CDL, public safety, scholarships and other priorities.

 

Athletic Achievements

In athletics over the past year, Wallace State teams secured Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) championships in men’s and women’s cross country, men’s basketball, men’s and women’s tennis, and softball. Tradition’s Bank Arena at Tom Drake Coliseum received a new floor and track, and seating and graphics are being updated. A major new turf project is underway on the baseball and softball fields for the spring 2025 season. Wallace State also announced the return of men’s soccer and the addition of women’s flag football to the college athletics line-up, bringing the total number of teams to 14.

 

New Programs

Along with the new EV program options, the college also added Digital Fabrication option through the Engineering Technology program. The college announced new nursing evening classes and a university joint enrollment option with Athens State, adding to an existing nursing partnership with UAB. Many new workforce credit options have been added, such as pharmacy technician, heavy equipment operation, fiber optics, and more, along with free Skills for Success training. Wallace State currently offers more than 200 options in academic, health and technical programs of study leading to an associate degree, certificate or transfer, as well as workforce-credit training and adult education.

An Achieving the Dream Leader College, Wallace State is ranked by Southern Business and Development among the Top 3 institutions in the South for workforce development, named a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing and the National Security Administration, rated the Top Online Community College in Alabama, a Military Friendly Institution and an All-Steinway School, Wallace State is an outstanding place for students to pursue their education and career goals.

Classes are offered online and on campus, day, evening and on weekends, with numerous start dates each year. Visit Wallace State’s beautiful main campus located on 300-acres in Hanceville, Ala., our satellite location in downtown Oneonta, Ala., find us online at www.wallacestate.edu, or call 256.352.8000.

Registration for the Spring 2025 semester is currently underway, with classes beginning Jan. 8 for Regular and Mini Term I. Mini Term II classes will begin March 6. Registration and classes for Flex Start courses will be Jan. 14-21 for Flex Start I and Jan. 22-29 for Flex Start II.

Visit www.wallacestate.edu to apply and register for classes or visit Lion Central in the Bailey Center or call 256.352.8000.

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About Wallace State

Wallace State Community College (Ala.), a member of the Alabama Community College System, is a comprehensive community college in north central Alabama offering more than 200 options in academic, health and technical programs of study leading to an associate degree, certificate or transfer, as well as workforce-credit training and adult education. An Achieving the Dream Leader College, nationally recognized by the Aspen Institute as a finalist for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, ranked by Southern Business and Development among the Top 3 institutions in the South for workforce development, named a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing and the National Security Administration, rated the Top Online Community College in Alabama, a Military Friendly Institution and an All-Steinway School, Wallace State is an outstanding place for students to pursue their education and career goals. Classes are offered online and on campus, day, evening and on weekends, with numerous start dates each year. Visit Wallace State’s beautiful main campus located on 300-acres in Hanceville, Ala., our satellite location in downtown Oneonta, Ala., find us online at www.wallacestate.edu, or call 256.352.8000.