Gadsden State Community College opened the Cherokee County Instructional Site on August 15, 2002 in response to strong community and governmental support for the growing educational needs within the region. The site offered a variety of evening courses ranging from English, history, computer science, mathematics, biology, arts, humanities, and social sciences.

The site was relocated in August 2008 to a multi-level complex (known as Gadsden State Cherokee) which offers an expanded list of courses to meet general studies requirements for the Associate Transfer Degree. The complex consists of learning laboratories in computer science, biology, testing, nursing and workforce development.  The Division of Health Sciences offers the Licensed Practical Nursing Program and the first two semesters of the Registered Nursing Program. The nursing lab provides realistic, high-tech learning experiences using simulation technology to challenge the students’ skills and clinical decision-making capabilities. A human patient simulator—a computer-operated patient that breathes, has a heartbeat, and talks to the students—has added a new dimension to learning along with the intravenous (IV) simulator designed to teach skills in venipuncture.

The Economic Development Center meets a fundamental objective of the Alabama College System:  to provide a successful model to demonstrate how educational institutions can partner with local communities to promote community, workforce, and economic development. The Cherokee facility also houses the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, a multipurpose arena with seating capacity of 2,500, as well as a hospitality/ community meeting room that accommodates up to 300. Through the collaborative partnership between the local townships, the County Commission, state and local leadership, and the Alabama College System, we are launching an exciting, grassroots initiative to promote education, economic growth, and community development.