Bremen’ s Zac Singh’ s, left, and West Point’ s Colbe Sellers’ paths to the Machine Tool Technology Department are very different. Sellers is a high school dual enrollment student seeking an associates degree in Machine Tool Technology. Singh, a General Dynamics employee seeking extra training, is in his second career after 30 years in the health care industry, a move he made after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics announces the new construction projects during a ribbon cutting of the new Center for Welding Technology and Innovation Center with Gov. Kay Ivey and other state leaders.
PHOTO COURTESY WALLACE STATE
Facility enhancements Wallace State has multiple major construction and renovation projects in progress.
The STEM( Science, Technology, English and Math) Gateway Building is currently under construction at the front of campus off U. S. Highway 31. Scheduled to open in early 2027, the building will house all first-year English, math and chemistry students and include the Culinary Arts program, the Academic Success Center, and the Digital Learning Center, as well as ample space designed specifically to encourage student collaboration.
Also projected for early 2027 completion is the new Advanced Automotive Technology facility, followed by completion of the state-of-the-art Precision Machining building.
In addition, the existing Herb Black Machine Tool building will be repurposed for other Technical Division programs, and upgrades to both the Wellness Center and Student Center are currently underway.
The college recently opened its Arley satellite campus with Adult Education / GED, phlebotomy, CDL, and Medication Aide courses now underway and more offerings planned this spring.
Congressman Robert Aderholt secured $ 2.5 million in federal funding for Wallace State Community College’ s Lions’ Village project in Hanceville as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills passed by the U. S. House of Representatives, marking a major step toward a longtime dream of Dr. Karolewics to expand opportunity to single-parent and smallfamily households. Pending ACCS Board approval, 10 to 20 microhousing units will be installed on Future Foundation property behind the Taco Bell directly across from campus. A childcare facility is also planned for the site to serve both resident families and other Wallace State students.
Other significant investments made recently at the college include more than $ 5 million in improvements to athletic facilities, including the installation of turf at both the baseball and softball fields and new seating at Traditions Bank Arena and resurfacing of the track inside Tom Drake Coliseum.
Strengthening, diversifying programs
Wallace State continues to strengthen and diversify its academic programs. The college’ s newest health program, Speech and Language Pathologist Assistant, is a direct result of an identified workforce need.
In the Applied Technologies Division, the new Salon and Spa program at the Oneonta campus is off to a strong start, enrolling 20 students this semester with larger numbers already expected for the next cohort.
Barbering courses have also launched at the Hanceville campus. Recognized as a“ practice art,” barbering is increasingly sought after as communities look for professionals who blend technical skill with creativity and exceptional customer service.
14 | PROFILE 2026