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Drake State Stories & News

Drake State and Alabama A&M Host Thurgood Marshall College Fund HBCU SOAR Scholars Program

Drake State Community & Technical College and Alabama A&M University are proud to announce their partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) to host the HBCU SOAR Scholars Program, which will empower the next generation of leaders. This one-week residential summer program, taking place from July 7 – 12, 2024, will provide high-achieving current high school juniors with a unique opportunity to explore the rich academic and cultural heritage of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

“I am thrilled to welcome our local future leaders to Drake State through the TMCF HBCU SOAR Scholars Program,” said Drake State Community and Technical College President Dr. Patricia Sims. “By immersing themselves in our campus, we believe students will discover the opportunities awaiting them at HBCUs and HBCCs. Together, we will shape futures, break barriers, and cultivate excellence.”

The TMCF HBCU SOAR Scholars Program will be held on Alabama A&M and Drake State campuses. It serves students by providing valuable insights into college admissions, financial aid, scholarship resources, academic majors, and career pathways. The program is free to all participants, ensuring accessibility for students from diverse backgrounds.

“The opportunity for Alabama A&M University to host bright students and serve this platform in a significant way is an honor for our entire campus community,” said Alabama A&M University President Dr. Daniel Wims. “The Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s impact in creating pathways to success is no secret in our communities. The HBCU Scholars Program is one example of their profound commitment to supporting students. We look forward to making a lasting impression on participants through the words of our mantra – start here, go anywhere.”

Eligibility for the program is open to current high school juniors (Class of 2025) who must participate in the program during the summer before their senior year. The deadline to apply is April 15, 2024.

Applicants are required to submit a completed application along with academic documents, including an official high school transcript and ACT/SAT scores (if taken). Additionally, applicants must provide one letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or college advisor and one short essay (250 words max) answering the question: “What is motivating you to pursue education at a collegiate level?”

For more information and to apply, visit drakestate.edu/thurgood-marshall-college-fund

For questions, contact Dr. Nicole Bell, Dean of Students at Drake State at nicole.bell@drakestate.edu.

Drake State, Madison County, and Huntsville City Schools partner to offer free CDL classes

Drake State Community and Technical College, Madison County, and Huntsville City Schools (HCS) have partnered to address the growing demand for a skilled workforce in Madison County. As a notable step towards this shared goal, Madison County has donated a dump truck to facilitate Drake State’s free CDL classes. HCS will provide space for the classes.

This initiative underscores the commitment of Drake State, Madison County, and HCS to equip students with essential skills and certifications to contribute to the local economy.

“Partnerships like this one are essential to keeping up with the growth in our community,” said Drake State President Dr. Patricia Sims. “Our goal is to stay ahead of the curve and meet the demand for a skilled workforce.”

“The donation of this truck allows Drake State to train the individuals who will be a great asset to the workforce by earning their CDL License”, said Phil Vandiver, Madison County Commissioner from District Four.

In addition to providing space for the courses, HCS will also promote classes to their students.

“HCS is excited to partner with Drake State and Madison County to provide students essential skills to be competitive in Madison County’s growing workforce,” said Career & Technical Education Director of Huntsville City Schools Zac McWhorter.

“This strategic collaboration between Drake State, the county, and HCS ensures students have a supportive environment to prepare for the workforce upon graduation,” says District Six Commissioner Violet Edwards. Commission Chairman Mac McCutcheon expressed the commissioners’ collective enthusiasm for the collaboration, emphasizing their belief in supporting Drake State’s dedication to supplying students with the education required to become integral members of the workforce in Madison County.

Classes are open to the public.

Learn more and sign up by contacting:

John Mullins Director of Workforce Development

john.mullins@drakestate.edu

(256)551-5227

Drake State Names Fall 2023 Pesident’s and Dean’s List

Congratulations to our Fall 2023 President’s List students! Your academic performance deserves a spotlight. In order to qualify for the President’s List a student must attain a semester GPA of 4.00 and must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours of college-level work. Cheers!

Fernando Alanis

Joshua Bean

Carla Camargo

Amanda Coots

Aileen Coronado

Samual Culver

Dustin Ellis

Alyissia Ellison

Tricia Engles

Manuel Hernandez

Kyla Hickman

Theresa Holstein

Breiona Horton

Amiri Jacobs-el

Te’asha Jefferson

Christopher Johnson

Cynthia Leslie

Niyari Malone

Madelyn Moore

Gabriel Nkengasong

Nicole Padilla

Jaden Paul Shelby Randolph

Makahla Riley

Rodney Rippey

Cody Sharp

Ashley Strong

Cameron Thompson

Jesse Tinker

Sebastian Torres

Shacara Washington

Jasmine Williams

Jacob Wilson

Congratulations to our Fall 2023 Dean’s List students! Your academic performance deserves a spotlight. In order to qualify for the Dean’s List a student must maintain a semester GPA between 3.50-3.99 and must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours of college-level work. Cheers!

Kathleen Adarr

Joseph Anderson

Brayden Arnold

Brian Bartlett

Alex Brady

Tashana Branford-Smith

Demetryas Brooks

Ian Browning

Daniel Carrasco

Roneshae Coolie

Nolan Culver

Cilyah Davis

Tommi Ellis

Xavier Ellison

Kristopher Evans

Taliah Fletcher

Christopher Harris

Jalen Henry

Patrick Holdsworth

Shawn Huddart

Keion Jordan

Kayla Koepp

Nabonsbamba Ibrahim Kouraogo

Maiya Lang

Ralphael Law

Christal Lee

Cooper Lee

Jaliyah Lewis

Caida Lindsey

Jamyon Love

Jasmine Matthews

Diamond Matthews

Brittany McCarver

Conner McLellan

Bryan McQueen

Randel Moore

Shale Morgan

Shane Pettit

Shayla Phillips

Tanekia Phillips

Noah Powell

Skylar Priest

Jaden Remy

Kent Richardson

Michael Rogers

Amberlee Serafin

Jasmine Shackleford

Benjamin Smith

Shamiyah Sterling

Egypt Stinson

Sabrina Taylor

Michael Trask Stephanie Yell

Ryan Ziegler

The NAFEO-Amesite Alliance Announces Strategic Five-Year Partnership to Enhance Workforce Education with Drake State Community and Technical College

Amesite Inc. (NASDAQ: AMST), a leading artificial intelligence software company offering a cloud-based learning platform for business and education markets, announces a five-year partnership with Drake State Community and Technical College. This collaboration is notable as Drake State is the first community college and the first higher education institution in Alabama to leverage the NAFEO-Amesite Alliance.

This partnership represents a strategic move for Drake State, allowing it to extend its educational reach beyond traditional classroom settings. It aligns with the college’s commitment to working with regional businesses and addressing local workforce learning needs.

Dr. Ann Marie Sastry, CEO of Amesite, commented on the new partnership. “NAFEO, as the Nation’s only advocacy and membership organization for all HBCUs and predominantly Black institutions, has created an efficient and effective way of engaging the most economically significant cohort of institutions that impact workforce diversity in the United States. We are proud to be part of this Alliance, and to work with members like Drake State. This collaboration is an important step for us in Alabama. Our goal is to extend our learning solutions to NAFEO’s members. This agreement with Drake State is an important part of our commitment to enhancing education through technology.”

Dr. Lezli Baskerville, CEO of NAFEO, said, “The Alliance that we have established with Amesite is yielding favorable results. During this season in particular, when it is so critical for professionals to have certifications that enable them to advance economically, we are looking forward to engaging other NAFEO members, including 106 HBCUs and roughly 70 PBIs. To engage the most diverse cohort possible, NAFEO and our members must be effective online, delivering 95% retention with Amesite technology.”

“Partnering with Amesite enables us to expand our educational capabilities and reach,” said Dr. Patricia Sims, President of Drake State. “This collaboration aligns with our goal to meet and adapt to the changing educational and workforce training requirements in our community.”

The partnership will focus on developing customized learning platforms to meet the specific needs of the regional workforce, offering accessible and high-quality educational resources to support professional development and skills enhancement.

Combat Veteran Motorcycle Association® gives back to Drake State Veteran students during the holidays

For the fourth year, The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA)® 28-2 has teamed up with Drake State Community & Technical College’s Veteran & Military Affairs office to bring Christmas to the Veteran students. On December 13, the CVMA® was on campus giving $100 Publix gift cards to help cover the cost of groceries for the upcoming holiday season. Veterans were also provided lunch by the Drake State Veteran & Military Affairs office.

Drake State has 58 students who are Veterans, which is one in twelve of the overall student population. The school recently was awarded the silver distinction as a 2023-2024 Military Friendly® school by VIQTORY.

“We are blessed to be able to assist Veterans and their dependents with educational goals, but more importantly, it is an honor to be a part of the Veteran community helping each other,” said Drake State Veteran Affairs Coordinator Neoka Hambrick. “Our goal is to help our Veterans over the challenges of being both a student and a Veteran, and partnering with organizations like the CVMA® is one of the many ways we can offer our support.”

The North Alabama CVMA® 28-2 chapter shares the mission of supporting veterans from all military branches and raised $6,000 for this season’s initiative.

“As a combat Veteran, proud father of three former Drake State students, husband to another, and a former Drake State student myself, I know firsthand the challenges that come with being a student Veteran at the college, especially around Christmas,” said CMVA® 28-2 Sergeant at Arms Aaron Lewis. “We are proud to continue this initiative for the fourth year, and we encourage others to find ways to give back to our local Veteran population this season.”

More information about Drake State Veterans’ Services can be found at drakestate.edu/student-services/veteran-military-affairs/.

Drake State Community and Technical College and Yulista Forge Innovative Partnership to Foster Workforce Development

Drake State Community and Technical College and Yulista, a leading defense and aviation solutions provider, have collaborated to create a robust talent pipeline and foster mutual growth. This unique partnership bridges academia and industry, facilitating a dynamic exchange of knowledge and expertise.

Yulista is a partner in Drake State’s Connecting Students with Industry (CSI) program. The program provides students with hands-on experience at Yulista, allowing them to apply classroom teachings to real-world scenarios. This strategic initiative enhances the students’ skill sets and aligns closely with Yulista’s commitment to cultivating local talent and fostering a skilled workforce.

In a reciprocal arrangement, Yulista employees will contribute to Drake State’s educational landscape by serving as instructors for specialized manufacturing classes. This exchange of industry insights and practical knowledge ensures that academic curricula remain relevant and closely aligned with the evolving needs of the manufacturing sector.

Drake State President Dr. Patricia Sims expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to providing our students with not only a world-class education but also a direct pathway to meaningful careers. By forging unique and strategic alliances with industry leaders like Yulista, we ensure the success of our students in the rapidly changing landscape of advanced manufacturing.”

Josh Herren, Yulista President and CEO, remarked, “On behalf of all of Yulista, I’m immensely proud of our educational partnership with Drake State. Workforce development is an urgent need in a mission-critical city like Huntsville, AL. These partnerships boost the economy and keep the Huntsville area as the tip of the spear for our nation. Our partnership allows us to work together to connect students with industry in the early stages of their career development and set a lifelong foundation of learning and professional development.”

Both institutions are confident that this collaboration will not only benefit the students directly involved but will also contribute to the overall economic development of the region by fostering a skilled and adaptable workforce.

Drake State Highlights Veteran Student in Honor of Veterans Day 2023

In honor of Veterans Day, we would like to introduce you to Drake State student Dustin Ellis. Dustin's story is one of dedication, service, and achievement. Dustin Ellis served in the United States Army from 2009 to 2016. During those seven years, he completed two tours in Afghanistan, serving in a Field Artillery Unit. Like many of our country’s veterans, Dustin’s time in the military was challenging and marked by sacrifice and bravery.

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Summer 2023 President’s & Dean’s List Students

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to our Summer 2023 President’s List students! Your academic performance deserves a spotlight. In order to qualify for the President’s List a student must attain a semester GPA of 4.00 and must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours of college-level work. Cheers!

Amanda Coots
Ashley Strong
Deonna Nichols
Destiny Turner
Iman Quraish
Jania Cade
Jasmine Turner
Kadesha Long
Kennedi Lomax
Marely Rodriguez-Contrers
Nabonsbamba Ibrahim Kouraogo
Quaterria Smith
Regina Robinson
Shameka Smith
Terrica Ingram
Tucker Lawler

Congratulations to our Summer 2023 Dean’s List students! Your academic performance deserves a spotlight. In order to qualify for the Dean’s List a student must maintain a semester GPA between 3.50-3.99 and must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours of college-level work. Cheers!

William Ellis
Shakilya Fletcher
Taryn Broderick
Jon Lolley
Carlos Flores
Charisma Marshall
Michael Tucker
Tyeshia Witchard
Jina Cade
Courtney Davis
Christal Lee
Cilyah Davis
Jesse Tinker
Remond Bell

Spring 2023 President’s and Dean’s Lists

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to our Spring 2023 President’s List students! Your academic performance deserves a spotlight. In order to qualify for the President’s List a student must attain a semester GPA of 4.00 and must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours of college-level work. Cheers!

Egypt Stinson
Nabonsbamba Ibrahim Kouraogo
Amanda Coots
Candice Cromwell-Edwards
Nadia Peavy
Sha’Torree Weakley
Chelsea Austin
Matthew Boyd
Alex Brady
Ashley Ford
Regina Robinson
Michael Tucker
Marley Anderson
Katie Byrum
Caden Cagle
Shania Chandler
Malik Everson
Jazmonique Johnson
Aisha Khan
Rodney Rippey
Caitlin Smith
Roman Smith
Jeffrey Stacy
Brittany Stafford
Shacara Washington
Jasmine Williams
Stephanie Yell

Congratulations to our Spring 2023 Dean’s List students! Your academic performance deserves a spotlight. In order to qualify for the Dean’s List a student must maintain a semester GPA between 3.50-3.99 and must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours of college-level work. Cheers!

Sharde Tate
Jose Fernandez
Jessica Love
Tivon Johnson
Cynthia Leslie
Jamesha Reed
Makahla Riley
Alan Duke
Ashley Stewart
Ariana Leichnitz
Tristian Ervin
Dezmon Cartwright
Miles Strickland
Callista Throop
Tucker Lawler
Cody Sharp
Adia Allen
Peyton Harris
Christal Lee
Garron Moore
Tanekia Phillips
Jhoselyn Tapia Hernandez
Dianna Hogan
Jaliyah Lewis
Natiria Griffin
Sanchasaty Mitchell
Kent Richardson
Marvin Batts
Christen Cantrell
Runzell Edwards
Carlos Flores
Theresa Holstein
Aman Smith
April Thomas
Johnathan Tinner

 

Drake State and Huntsville Utilities Join Forces to Fuel Gas and Water Operation Scholarship Program

Drake State is proud to announce its collaboration with Huntsville Utilities to introduce the Gas and Water Operation Certification Scholarship Program. This innovative four-week program aims to provide alternative pathways to entering the workforce and enrich the pool of potential candidates for gas and water operation careers at Huntsville Utilities and other prospective local employers.

The Gas and Water Operation Certification Program will equip students with the essential skills and knowledge required for successful careers in the gas and water operations sector. The curriculum covers various topics, including Class B CDL training, basic welding, OSHA 10, first-aid, CPR, leadership, basic computer training, and basic mathematics.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Huntsville Utilities on the Gas and Water Operation Certification Scholarship Program, offering alternative pathways to careers in this sector,” said Dr. Patricia Sims, President of Drake State Community and Technical College. “With Huntsville Utilities’ expertise, we’re providing industry-relevant training, and their $50,000 donation ensures students receive essential support. This partnership reflects our commitment to workforce development, education, and economic growth in our community.”

Huntsville Utilities is committed to enhancing the program by providing subject matter experts directly from their workforce to conduct job-related training modules for all selected students. This collaboration ensures that students receive industry-relevant insights and hands-on training, setting them up for success in the field.

As part of this partnership, Huntsville Utilities is donating $50,000 to fund scholarships that cover tuition, materials and supplies, facility fees, advertising, and student meals for program participants. In addition to financial support, Huntsville Utilities will provide crucial job training and mentorship to scholarship recipients.

“Huntsville Utilities is elated to have this new partnership with Drake State for this Gas & Water Operations program,” said Wes Kelley, President and CEO of Huntsville Utilities. “Drake State is our local community and technical college, and they are producing graduates who we need to join our industry. This new partnership will not only benefit the students here at Drake but will also potentially benefit customers at Huntsville Utilities.”

The collaborative efforts between Huntsville Utilities and Drake State underscore a shared commitment to workforce development, education, and the growth of the gas and water operations industry. This partnership will not only provide students with valuable skills but will also contribute to the economic vitality of the community.

Apply by email to wfd@drakestate.edu