Hundreds of students throughout Walker County, including both the Jasper City and Walker County School Systems, have benefitted from scholarships for Bevill State Community College Dual Enrollment courses thanks to the generosity and support of the city of Jasper, AL, the Don Drummond Family Fund of the Walker Area Community Foundation, and the Walker County School System.
The purpose of the Dual Enrollment Program at Bevill State is to provide an opportunity for qualified high school students to enhance their education by enrolling early in college courses. These students experience college-level courses, explore career options, and shorten the time required to complete a college degree or certification, while earning high school and college credit simultaneously.
“Bevill State is appreciative to have such strong support in our college community, people like Mayor O’Mary and the Jasper City Council; Dr. Willingham and the Walker County Board of Education; and, the Don Drummond family. These individuals have the vision and foresight to know that investing in these students and in programs like this are an investment in the future of Walker County,” stated Dr. Joel Hagood, President of Bevill State Community College.
In April 2021, the city of Jasper, AL presented a $100,000 check to Bevill State Community College President Dr. Joel Hagood. The donation to the College was to be utilized to increase dual-enrollment workforce development programs available to Jasper High School students. Jasper city leaders recognize the impact that workforce development programs such as Dual Enrollment can have on recruiting business and industry to Jasper. The number of Jasper High School students assisted by this generous contribution has grown over the past year with increased awareness of the opportunity.
Jasper High School Students Served Fall 2021 9 Spring 2022 9 Summer 2022 16 Fall 2022 97 Total Number Served 131
Bevill State received a $100,000 grant from the Don Drummond Family Fund of the Walker Area Community Foundation for Career Technical Education (CTE) Dual Enrollment Scholarships for high school students in Walker County in November 2021. Funds from this grant allow Bevill State to provide these educational opportunities in high-demand, high-wage fields to high school students residing in Walker County. Bevill State will be eligible to receive these funds on an annual basis. To date, 55 students have benefitted from this grant – 38 from the Walker County School System, 16 from the Jasper City Schools, and one home school student. The following breakdown shows the fields of study for these students:
Program Number of Students Served Vehicle Technology and Repair (VTR) – Auto Body Repair 1 Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology (ACR) 4 Vehicle Technology and Repair (VTR) 1 Child Development (CHD) 2 Advanced Engineering Design Technology (EDT) 2 Vehicle Technology and Repair (VTR) – Diesel Technician 6 Electrical Systems Technology (ELT) 4 Systems Information Technology (SIT) 1 Machine Tool Technology (MTT) 6 Medical Assisting Technology (MAT) 2 Office Administration and Technology (OAT) 4 Welding Technology (WDT) 22 Total 55
Starting in the 2022 Spring Semester, the Walker County Board Education and Dr. Dennis Willingham, Superintendent, made the decision to utilize $800,000 in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funds to allow qualified students in the Walker County high schools to enroll in Bevill State dual enrollment courses. Many of the students impacted by this decision are first-generation college students or would not have been able to economically take advantage of these opportunities. Thus far, the Walker County system has assisted over 300 students.
Walker County High Schools Students Served Spring 2022 111 Summer 2022 44 Fall 2022 159 Total 314
About Bevill State Community College (BSCC):
Bevill State Community College is a public, two-year, “open door” institution, committed to providing comprehensive education and educational support services for people in West Central Alabama and beyond. Bevill State is a member of the Alabama Community College System. Bevill State’s four main campuses, and one instructional site, offer university parallel and applied technology educational opportunities to over one-quarter million people in a seven-county area. This service area spans over 4,600 square miles, from the Birmingham city limits to the Mississippi state line.
For more information contact Tana Collins-Allred at 800.648.3271 ext. 5742 or by email at [email protected]. Please visit our website at www.bscc.edu.
