Drake State Stories & News

🎉 Congratulations to our Summer 2024 President’s List and Dean’s List students! Your academic performance truly deserves a spotlight. To qualify for the President’s List, students must attain a perfect semester GPA of 4.00 while being enrolled in at least 12 credit hours of college-level work. For the Dean’s List, students must maintain a GPA between 3.50-3.99, also with a minimum of 12 credit hours. Cheers to your hard work, dedication, and success! 👏

Drake State Community and Technical College is launching a pilot Skills for Success – Flooring Installation Technician course. This program, the first of its kind in the region, is offered at no cost to participants. The curriculum is designed to prepare course graduates for successful careers in flooring installation.

Drake State Community and Technical College hosted its Spring 2024 commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 9. The event began at 1 pm at the Elmore Gymnasium on the campus of Alabama A&M University; 195 students participated in the commencement ceremony. 

This year’s commencement speaker was PeggyLee Wright, a distinguished figure renowned for her contributions to education and community development. Wright’s insights promise to inspire and motivate the graduating class as they embark on their future endeavors.

The commencement ceremony marked a significant milestone for graduates, highlighting the dedication and hard work invested in pursuing academic excellence.

“Commencement represents the culmination of hard work, perseverance, and dedication for our graduates,” said Dr. Patricia Sims, president of Drake State Community and Technical College. “As this class of students embarks on the next chapter of their lives, we are immensely proud of their accomplishments and excited to witness the impact they will make in their respective fields and communities.”

Drake State celebrated the achievements of its graduating students from various academic divisions. The college awarded associate degrees in the following disciplines: Business, Computer Science, and Engineering Technologies; Applied Services Technologies; Advanced Manufacturing Technologies; Health Sciences Technologies; General Studies and Developmental Education. 

Members of the media, esteemed guests, faculty, staff, and the community were invited to join in honoring the accomplishments of the graduating class.

The event was live-streamed on Drake State’s Facebook Page for those who were unable to attend and can now be viewed on Drake State’s Facebook feed.

Pictures can be viewed and downloaded here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15YC6HxYsYa1NKW8zQmRnKZhCNTU_BpI9?usp=sharing

At Drake State Community and Technical College, we are thrilled to announce that one of our outstanding students, Jadyn Johnson, has been named a 2024 New Century Workforce Scholar. This prestigious recognition comes with a $1,500 scholarship, marking a significant milestone for Jadyn and for our institution.

This scholarship is the first of its kind to support students at associate degree-granting institutions on a national scale as they plan to enter the workforce upon completing a degree or certificate. The program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

“Receiving the 2024 New Century Workforce Scholar scholarship is a tremendous honor, and I am grateful for the support of The Coca-Cola Foundation and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. This scholarship not only acknowledges my academic achievements but also validates my commitment to preparing for a successful career. I am excited to represent Drake State as I continue on my journey towards entering the workforce.”

“Congratulations to Jadyn Johnson on being named a 2024 New Century Workforce Scholar,” said Drake State President Dr. Patricia Sims. “This prestigious scholarship not only recognizes her academic excellence but also highlights her leadership and commitment to extending her talents beyond the classroom. Drake State is proud to support Jadyn and the other scholars as they prepare to enter the workforce and achieve their career goals.”

New Century Workforce Scholars are selected based on their academic accomplishments, leadership, activities, and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. Over 2,200 students from more than 1,300 college campuses nationwide were nominated. Only one New Century Workforce Scholar was selected from each state.

“We congratulate Jadyn for receiving this prestigious scholarship, and we are honored to partner with The Coca-Cola Foundation to recognize these outstanding achievements,” said Phi Theta Kappa’s President and CEO, Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “Scholarship programs like this are integral for creating opportunities for students to succeed as they prepare to enter the workforce and for putting college completion within reach.”

The New Century Workforce Scholars will be recognized in the fall.

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 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

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

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.