Construction is underway on Drake State Community and Technical College’s advanced manufacturing center. Officials from Drake State, the Alabama Community College System, City of Huntsville, Madison County, as well as representatives from Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) and Fite Building Company celebrated the milestone with a groundbreaking ceremony at the Meridian Street campus on Friday, June 9.

“This leading-edge facility cements our commitment to workforce development in the North Alabama region,” said President of Drake State Community and Technical College, Dr. Patricia Sims. “It will help our students secure high-wage jobs and nationally recognized certifications at an affordable cost. With dedicated spaces for various disciplines and top-notch equipment, we aim to equip our students with the skills needed to excel in high-demand fields. We are grateful to our partners, including the Alabama Community College System, the City of Huntsville, Madison County, Goodwyn Mills Cawood, Fite Building Company, and others, for supporting this vision.”

The Drake State Workforce Skills Training Center was identified as a needed project through the ACCS ASPIRE 2030 initiative, which provides funding for facility upgrades and new construction for all levels of education in Alabama.

The 50,000-square-foot facility will support the aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries and house the most in-demand training programs, including engineering design and mechatronics. The new building will include dedicated space for machine tool technology, welding, industrial systems and technology, drafting and design and more, as well as lab spaces, classrooms and offices for instructors and administration.

The new advanced manufacturing center will equip students with skills that will help them earn a high wage and gain nationally recognized certifications at a low cost.

GMC is providing architectural, interior design, civil engineering and landscape architecture services for the advanced manufacturing facility, which is being constructed by Fite Building Company. Other project team members include Tucker Jones Engineers, structural engineer; MW/Davis Dumas & Associates, mechanical engineer; and Jackson, Renfro & Associates, electrical engineer.

Construction on the new building is scheduled to be completed by fall 2024.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Residents who choose to attend any of Alabama’s six historically black community colleges (HBCCs), including Drake State Community & Technical College, will now have access to more scholarships and professional development opportunities through a prestigious national partnership.

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) announced a resolution Tuesday that establishes the following colleges as members: Bishop State, Drake State, Gadsden State, Lawson State, Shelton State, and Trenholm State community colleges. Named after the U.S. Supreme Court’s first black justice, TMCF is a nationally recognized nonprofit membership organization that supports more than 50 historically black colleges and universities.

“I am grateful to have represented our six Historically Black Community Colleges within the Alabama Community College System,” said Drake State Dr. Patricia Sims. “I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund leadership team for their visionary excellence. This partnership solidifies our position as a leading two-year HBCC institution, and we look forward to collaborating with TMCF and its esteemed partners to cultivate the next generation of talented leaders and innovators. Together, we will continue to impact our community, the nation, and the world.”

Alabama’s HBCCs are the first historically black community colleges to be inducted into TMCF. To date, TMCF has provided more than $300 million in scholarships, programmatic and capacity-building support to its member schools and students.

“Adding community colleges to our membership is part of an intentional move toward a more inclusive talent strategy. A four-year degree is one path but not the only path to career success,” said TMCF President & CEO Dr. Harry L Williams.

“HBCCs play a critical role in local and regional economic development by offering workforce upskilling and reskilling programs. HBCCs across the country offer associate degrees and industry-recognized certificates and credentials that can launch students into the workforce to fill skilled positions that offer good pay without the requirement of a bachelor’s degree. HBCCs also offer students the ability to obtain core, academic credits that can be transferred to a four-year university for a bachelor’s degree.”

Alabama is home to more HBCCs and HBCUs than any other state. Alabama’s Historically Black Community Colleges collectively contribute more than $600 million to the state’s economy and support more than 9,000 jobs, according to an independent economic impact study. Drake State graduates have contributed $37.1 million to the regional economy, and for every dollar invested in the college, taxpayers gain $2.30 in added tax revenue and public sector savings.

“Alabama’s community colleges exist to be a pillar of community for students of all backgrounds to be able to have the resources to reach success, and these national relationships help bolster the advantages and access students have to significant opportunities that support their pursuit of excellence,” said Jimmy H. Baker, Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System.

“The connections students and Alabama’s HBCC leaders will have through the Thurgood Marshall College are bound to strengthen the avenues the colleges provide to residents who trust our colleges with the training they desire for their future.”

Promotional Video Link: https://youtu.be/ic12TcO34vk

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FAIRFIELD, Ala. – Miles College and Drake State Community & Technical College have partnered to create scholarship opportunities and pathways to earning a bachelor’s degree. The institutions’ presidents signed an articulation agreement today at Miles College.

The agreement has four components, including a collaborative and seamless transfer process, scholarship eligibility, reverse transfer credit, and student services.

“Drake State and Miles College give students from underserved and marginalized communities a chance to succeed,” said Drake State President Dr. Patricia Sims. “We are honoring our commitment to equitably level the playing field while encouraging students to pursue their educational goals beyond an associate degree. No more barriers. This agreement enables students to seamlessly transfer credits between two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).”

Drake State Community & Technical College students will be considered for admission to Miles College after earning an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science with up to a maximum of 64 semester hours transferring. Additionally, Drake State  students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0.The new partnership will provide reciprocal privileges for using Miles College’s Library Resource Center, College, and Career Center and admission to athletic events. There are also opportunities for advising from both Drake State and Miles College.

“As we continue to create these meaningful partnerships I am excited for the future of our students and Miles College. We should be building our enrollment at every institution in the state as we have to ensure we are preparing our students for this society. We are delighted to sign this memorandum of understanding with Drake State Community & Technical College and look forward to the partnership ahead.” said Bobbie Knight, J.D., President of Miles College.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – On Wednesday, Jacobs presented the Drake State Foundation with a $200,000 commitment to support the college’s Frontiers Research Program. Notable speakers included Jacobs Critical Mission Solutions President Dr. Steve Arnette, Marshall Space Flight Center Director Jody Singer, Huntsville City Council President John Meredith, and Jacobs Space Exploration Group Team Lead and Harambee Ambassador Ayana Reese.

The $200K donation is part of Jacobs’ 2020 corporate commitment to donate $10 million dollars over five years with a priority on Black educational and professional development and scholarship opportunities under its global diversity Action Plan for Advancing Justice and Equality. Due to racial inequalities and lack of advancement among Black talent in the workforce, Jacobs tapped Drake State to collaborate and strengthen the participation of Black students in science and engineering educational programs.

“We’re creating change within our community by providing solutions to diversify the workforce,” said Drake State President Dr. Patricia Sims. “The Jacobs TogetherBeyond and Harambee Scholars Fund will support our additive manufacturing curriculum and help students develop the necessary skills to complete their associate degrees that could lead to potential internship and full-time job opportunities with Jacobs.” As NASA’s largest service provider, Jacobs has been the Prime Contractor on the engineering, science, and technology contract at Marshall Space Flight Center since 1989.

The Frontiers Research Program is a NASA sponsored Cooperative Agreement with Drake State and is the first of its kind to be awarded to a two-year institution and Historically Black College and University (HBCU). The Frontiers research interns have been working on a variety of additive manufacturing projects that contribute to current NASA needs in lunar habitat design and manufacturing.

“Advancing justice and equality requires strong leadership and a relentless drive to deliver on that vision,” said Jacobs Chair and CEO Steve Demetriou. “As a global leader, we know we must contribute to structural change not only at Jacobs, but in society as a whole. We believe in setting the tone and actively doing our part to create a future where everyone can thrive.”

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