April is National Community College Month and Gadsden State, a member institution of the Alabama Community College System (ACCS), is joining with community colleges across the state and nation to celebrate.  The ACCS is the state’s single largest system of public higher education and is Alabama’s most affordable and accessible system of higher education.  The ACCS provides a broad array of educational services for hundreds of thousands of individuals, meeting diverse and changing local needs and fulfilling a vital function within their service areas.  The System enrolls more than half of all freshman and sophomores in Alabama.  Approximately 15,000 of these students transfer each year to public four-year institutions while others graduate into career technical fields leading directly to employment.  The ACCS includes technical colleges, Marion Military Institute, and the Alabama Technology Network.

In 2013, the Alabama Community College System enrolled nearly 150,000 credit students in its academic and career technical education programs;  enrolled more than 7,200 high school students in its dual enrollment and early college programs providing high-achieving students with rigorous courses beyond those offered at the secondary level;  partnered with business, industry and government,  to provide customized training, job skills training, and workforce development services for more than 106,000 Alabama workers and job seekers; provided specialized services and training for more than 1,200 companies, and served more than 25,000 individuals through the adult literacy education programs and services provided for those 16 and older who do not have a high school diploma or GED. 

Community Colleges provide access to low-income, racially/ethnically diverse, and first generation college students, and others who would not otherwise be college bound. The ACCS remains committed to public service and works daily to help individuals reach their personal goals, and in the process, helps build communities and contribute to the economic development of the communities in its service areas.               

“We Care” is the theme for Gadsden State’s annual observance of Community College Month and April 1 will kick-off  community drives on all six campuses for donations of needed items for various charities located in, Cherokee, Calhoun, and Etowah counties. 

Faculty, staff, students, and community members are invited to “Cram the GSCC Van” on April 29 from 10:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. as Gadsden State Cherokee collects “therapy supplies” for the Cherokee County Child Advocacy Center.  The Center’s mission is to ensure that a multi-disciplinary team act in partnership to deliver comprehensive services to meet the needs of child victims of sexual and severe physical abuse and their family members.   Anyone wishing to participate in the community drive is asked to contact Luanne Hayes at 256-927-1805 or lhayes@gadsdenstate.edu for a list of items needed.  Additional items may be dropped off at the campus administration building throughout the month.

Activities during the month include the following:

1         Cardinal Softball vs. Wallace-Hanceville, GSCC Softball Complex @ 2:00 p.m.

Youth Leadership Cherokee Graduation

2          College Access Day for prospective students

3          Xtreme Cherokee 2014:  Rock Hard-Rock Steady, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

6          Cardinal Softball vs. Georgia Highlands, GSCC Softball Complex @ 2:00 p.m.

8          Honors Day 2014, McClellan Center Auditorium, 2:00 p.m.

9          Honors Day 2014, Wallace Hall Fine Arts Center, 10:00 a.m.

 Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony: Wallace Hall Fine Arts Center, 6:00 p.m.

10        Veteran’s Upward Bound Resume Writing/Interview Skills Workshop, Inzer Hall/Wallace Drive Campus, 11:00 a.m.

Karaoke Coffee House:  Cherokee Community Meeting Room, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

11        International Festival 2014:  “Boldly Go”: Gadsden Convention Hall, Doors open at 4:00 p.m.

11-12   Cherokee County Home & Garden Show, Cherokee Arena

14        Cherokee County Commission Meeting Community College Month Proclamation Presentation,

10:00 a.m., Community Meeting Room

15        C.A.R.E. Fair 2014, Inzer Hall Breezeway, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

16        Spring Employment Opportunity Fair, East Broad Campus, 9:00 -11:30 a.m.

College Access Day for prospective students

17        G-Day 2014:  Gadsden State Hunger Games, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

            Weiss Lake Improvement Association Water Festival, Cherokee County Elementary Schools, Cherokee Arena

21        Priority Registration for Summer Semester 2014

            Gadsden State Cherokee Library Open House

21-24   SGA Officer Elections for 2014-2015

22        Online Registration for Summer Semester 2014

23        Administrative Professionals Day

            Science Department presents Charles Woosley (Harrison School of Pharmacy/Auburn University), Browder Hall, 11:30 a.m.

24        National Society of Leadership & Success Induction Ceremony, Browder Hall Auditorium, 6:00 p.m.

29        “Cram the GSCC Van” with therapy supplies for Cherokee County Child Advocacy Center

            256-927-1805 or lhayes@gadsdenstate.edu

Visit “News & Events” on the Gadsden State home page at http://www.gadsdenstate.edu/calendar/ or contact the Director of Public Relations and Marketing at 256-549-8224 or kaysmith@gasdsdenstate.edu  for more information on these events.