Wallace State hosts college Showcase for approximately 1,500 local high school sophomores

HANCEVILLE, ALA. – Wallace State recently held its first ever campus Showcase, allowing approximately 1,500 high school sophomores the chance to learn more about the college’s programs and organizations in a two-hour visit.
Wallace State hosted high schools from Blount, Cullman, Morgan and Winston Counties, all within the college’s service area. Students initially arrived at the Wellness Center, where they learned about Wallace State’s student activities, the dual enrollment/Fast Track programs, Learning Communities classes and the college’s first-year experiences. Students then visited Tom Drake Coliseum, where each Wallace State department, ranging from academic, health and technical majors, had a booth display highlighting their programs. Wallace State’s Cheerleaders and the Jazz Band provided entertainment.
“I felt the event was a huge success because we were allowed to showcase all the options for students in our service area. We take the partnership with high schools and our mission of being committed to learning that transforms lives and communities seriously and feel it is especially beneficial for students to be introduced to fields and programs of study that they might not have been aware – and exposed early,” said Dr. Beth Bownes Johnson, Wallace State’s Dean of Academic Affairs. “Many students who visited are qualified to begin Fast Track or Dual Enrollment next year. Through the Showcase, approximately 1,500 10^th graders were provided the opportunity to not only view the options, but actively engage in them. They also met many of our outstanding faculty and staff and were exposed to the plethora of clubs and activities we provide. We are planning on making this an annual event. Everyone had a wonderful time, while learning, and students left with a myriad of information concerning careers.”
High schools visiting the Showcase were Addison, Brewer, Cold Springs, Cullman, Fairview, Falkville, Good Hope, Hanceville, Hayden, Holly Pond, J.B. Pennington, Meek, Southeastern, Vinemont and West Point. The Cullman Career Center was also represented.
The high school students attending the Showcase were asked to download the new Wallace State app on their smartphones. Via the app, students were welcomed to campus and left with an opportunity to complete a Showcase survey.
Students attending the Showcase were also encouraged to use the Twitter hashtag “wsccshowcase,” and multiple students and schools participated by posting pictures of their visit.
One of the high school counselors, who has served for 33 years, told a Wallace State employee that the Showcase was one of the best events the college has ever conducted. One Wallace State department compiled 200 student names interested in its program.
For more information about Wallace State, visit www.wallacestate.edu.

 
 
 
 
 
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Russell Moore
Staff Writer
Wallace State Community College
P.O. Box 2000, Hanceville, AL 35077
1-866-350-9722    256-352-8443 direct
Visit us online at www.wallacestate.edu
 
Kristen Holmes
Communications & Marketing Director, and
Administrator, The Evelyn Burrow Museum
Wallace State Community College
801 Main Street NW | Hanceville, AL 35077
E-mail: kristen.holmes@wallacestate.edu
Office: 256.352.8118 | Cell: 256.339.2519 | Toll Free: 866.350.9722