FIRST CHOICE: We will strive to be the first choice in the communities we serve for higher education, workforce and community development.
Gadsden State Community College received grants from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund of the Coronavirus Assistance, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The funds were received by 2,496 students, which was 62 percent of the students enrolled in the spring semester. Over $1.87 million in student aid was distributed. (1.1.4)
Gadsden State received its first state grant funds from the Appalachian Regional Commissions through ADECA for two workforce programs -- $191,640 for programmable logic controllers for the FAME program and $160,000 for engine trainers for the Diesel Technology Program. Both programs support work-based learning opportunities with the nationally-recognized FAME program with seven local employers and the Career Pathways co-op program at Anniston Army Depot. (1.3.3)
Two instructors and a GSCC graduate earned Excellence in Education Awards from The Chamber of Gadsden/Etowah. The winner of Heart of an Educator is Billa Burger. Kerry Griffith, past SGA president and 2020 graduate, won Post-Secondary Student of the Year. Rebecca Southern, DMS program director, earned the Excellence in Post-Secondary Career Technical Education Award.
Gadsden State’s website redesign – finalized in August 2019 – was recognized twice in 2020 for outstanding improvements and functionality. In January, the website earned a gold medal at the Education Digital Marketing Awards sponsored by the Higher Education Marketing Report. Gadsden State was one of only two community colleges in the country to earn the highest level of recognition from HEMR. In October, the National Council of Marketing and Public Relations awarded the website redesign a gold medallion, the highest award given by the organization. (1.1.1)
LEARNING CENTERED: We will inspire a learning community that focuses on innovative education and encourages life-long learning.
Gadsden State started offering two Office Administration courses that lead to certification in Microsoft Word and Excel. (2.3.2)
Twelve different certifications were earned by Computer Science students in Spring 2020. Forty certifications were earned in Fall 2020. (2.3.2)
A new construction, renovation and building addition created inviting learning spaces that promote student engagement. Ribbon cuttings for the addition constructed onto the Cheaha Center on the Ayers Campus as well as the renovation of Allen Hall on the Wallace Drive Campus were held on Jan. 7 attracting dignitaries, leaders, alumni and supporters from our service area. The ribbon cutting for the new Science Building was held Feb. 17 and was attended by ACCS Chancellor Jimmy Baker. (2.1.1)
Workforce development grants made it possible to offer new WIOA welding classes as well as a new truck driving class. The classes are meeting the needs of business and industry. (2.3.2)
The newly-renovated FAME building opened on the Ayers Campus. (2.3.2)
Emergency Financial Assistance Grants were awarded to students who met eligibility requirements and experienced financial difficulty or disruption of educational plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds are awarded in amounts from $100 to $1,000. The EFA grants are responsive to the unique and increasingly complex needs of college students. (2.1.2)
YEARLY IMPACT: We will advance a performance-based culture on data-informed continuous improvement.
An additional $1.87 million in CARES funds was used for campus safety and operations, such as PPE, cleaning supplies, thermometers, technology and instruction supplies for social distancing. These efforts are optimizing learning environments. (3.1.6)
Over $5 million from CARES HBCU has been used for technology upgrades, student laptops and instructional technology. (3.1.5)
Gadsden State’s Student Support Services received an increase in funding from the U.S. Department of Education. The programs have been awarded $982,120 per year over a five-year period for a total award of over $4.9 million. That’s an increase of $785,445 from the 2015 award. (3.1.5)
A resource development officer was hired to design and execute a comprehensive plan to increase external funding and alumni engagement in an effort to support student needs and college initiatives. (3.3.1)
Paralegal Studies was approved once again by the American Bar Association as an approved paralegal education program.
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program as well as its vascular concentration was awarded an initial accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Gadsden State is the only college in Alabama that offers a comprehensive DMS program that covers abdomen, OB/GYN and vascular in one associate degree program.
The Spring 2020 graduates in the Radiologic Technology Program earned a 100 percent pass rate on the national certification exam.
In March, the Medical Laboratory Technology Program earned a full 10-year accreditation by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science. The Spring 2020 MLT Class also has a 100 percent graduation rate and job placement rate.