Bevill State Community College is proud to announce a new partnership with Jasper City Schools and Walker County Schools through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) designed to enhance educational opportunities and academic achievement for students in the region.
The MOU establishes a collaborative partnership between Bevill State Community College, Jasper City Schools, and Walker County Schools to enhance Career Technical Education (CTE) Dual Enrollment Programs. This agreement signifies a shared commitment to improving educational and career opportunities for the students of Jasper and Walker County. By combining their assets, resources, skills, and expertise, these institutions aim to develop comprehensive educational and career pathways for high school students. Additionally, this agreement allows students and staff from Jasper City Schools and Walker County Schools to access Bevill State’s facilities, further enriching their educational experience.
Dr. Joel Hagood, President of Bevill State Community College, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “This partnership is a testament to our commitment to providing accessible and high-quality education to the students in our community. By leveraging our shared resources, we can offer enhanced career technical education opportunities that prepare our students for the high-wage, high-demand career opportunities available in today’s job market. Additionally, this joint venture will positively impact economic development and industrial recruitment for the area by supplying a well-prepared workforce.”
Greg Reed, President Pro Tempore of the Alabama Senate, stated “Providing our students with the resources they need to be successful in their academic and career endeavors is incredibly important to Alabama’s future. This new partnership between Bevill State Community College and high schools in our area will create an opportunity for our young people to obtain skillsets that are highly sought after in today’s world. I am thrilled about the economic and workforce development impact this CTE partnership will have locally and across the state of Alabama and want to thank Dr. Joel Hagood, Dr. Ann Jackson, and Dr. Dennis Willingham for their vision in ensuring our young students have these types of classroom opportunities that result in lifelong careers.”
“I am excited about the collaborative partnership between Jasper City Schools, the Walker County School System, and Bevill State Community College. Providing high school students access to college and career credentials in a first-class environment will give our students valuable skills that set them apart in today’s job market. This CTE partnership is the future of workforce development in the State of Alabama. Walker County will not only be leading the way in preparing students for a job after high school but will also be well-positioned to recruit new business and industry to our area. The impact of helping students find success in their chosen career pathway will be a tremendous benefit for the student, the community, and the future of our County,” commented Matt Woods, Representative for District 13 of the Alabama House of Representatives.
Key components of the agreement include:
- Dual Enrollment Program: High school students can enroll in college courses, earning dual credits.
- Career Technical Programs: Initially, the focus of this agreement is to increase dual enrollment opportunities in Welding, Machine Tool Technology, and Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology (HVAC). Other career technical programs that are currently offered may be addressed in the future.
- Shared Facility Access: Students and personnel will have access to the facilities’ classrooms, labs, and equipment during traditional school operational times. Resource sharing of program equipment will be available for instructional use.
To support students entering these programs, several scholarship opportunities are available:
- Bevill State Dual Enrollment Scholarship
- CTE Dual Enrollment Scholarship provided by the Don Drummond Family Fund through the Walker Area Community Foundation (available to students in both Walker County and Jasper City Schools)
- Jump-Start Scholarship funds provided by the City of Jasper (aimed at improving workforce opportunities through dual enrollment at Jasper High School)
Dr. Ann Jackson, Superintendent of Jasper City Schools, commented on the initiative, “This collaboration between Bevill State Community College and both of our local school systems represents a crucial step in ensuring our students are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary for success in today’s competitive job market. The enhanced educational pathways and access to state-of-the-art facilities will not only benefit our students but also strengthen the overall economic health of our community. This MOU allows us to align our educational goals with the needs of our local industries, ensuring that our students are well-prepared for future success.
Dr. Dennis Willingham, Superintendent of Walker County Schools, added, “This partnership with Bevill State and Jasper City Schools will provide opportunities for our students that will be a model for the state of Alabama and beyond. Our students will be trained using state-of-the-art equipment to prepare them for the workforce. The partnership will also open up possibilities for other programs that are relevant to high-wage/high-demand careers. This is in line with our vision to grow college and career technical opportunities for our students. God has blessed us with a partnership that will provide a better quality of life for our students and all of Walker County.”
This collaboration marks a significant step forward in providing enhanced educational opportunities for students in Jasper City and Walker County. It reflects the shared commitment of Bevill State Community College, Jasper City Schools, and Walker County Schools to invest in the future of their students.
