Six New Members Sign On With Wallace State Powerful Partnerships

Hanceville, Ala. — Wallace State Community College welcomed six new members as participants in the Powerful Partnership initiative, bringing the total number of participants to 30 taking advantage of the free program.

“One of the things that makes a community college a community college is the partnerships that we share within our community, and you are so important to what we are doing,” said Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics. “We are honored that you would consider joining with us in these Powerful Partnership agreements that are mutually beneficial to all of us.”

Since Powerful Partnerships launched in September 2024, the program has already made a strong impact, with 126 students benefiting from more than $10,000 in combined tuition savings for participating employees and their families, said Suzanna Harbin, Vice President of Advance and Innovation.

The signing ceremony for the new companies affirmed their commitment to providing those same opportunities to their employees, Harbin added.

The six new members include Augusta’s Grill, Cullman County Board of Education, Happy Tails, Lawn Doctor, Lee’s Veterinary Clinic and Plus One Heating and Air.

“Plus One is participating in Wallace State’s Powerful Partnership Program to strengthen the connection between education and industry,” said co-owner Daniel Green. “We believe in investing in the next generation of skilled professionals while creating meaningful career pathways that support both student success and the long-term growth of our workforce.”

Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics, right, shakes hands with Plus One Heating & Air co-owner Shawn Troughton, while co-owner Daniel Green looks on after signing a Powerful Partnership agreement.

Benefits provided to businesses and industry that join the Powerful Partnership program include: 

• 10 percent tuition discount on up to six credit hours in academic courses for degree and certificate seeking students and Pro Skills Workforce training courses per semester for employees and their immediate families; this applies to employee-paid and employee-sponsored training
• 10 percent discount on customized training
• Complimentary evaluation of previously earned educational credits, training and professional certifications and work experience for consideration of prior learning towards academic credit
• Complimentary access to meeting spaces at the Wallace State Workforce Training Center  
• Wallace State Alumni Memberships for up to five employees  
• Special sponsor rate for the Wallace State Future Foundation Student Investment Luncheon  
• Access to a pipeline of workers prepared for internships, apprenticeships, and employment through priority registration for Industry Comes to Wallace State  
• A Powerful Partner registration rate for the annual WSCC Career Fair  
• Featured as a Powerful Partner through various marketing avenues  
• A role on Wallace State’s program advisory boards and Business and Industry Leadership Teams (BILTs) to provide guidance for instructional technology 
• Opportunity to receive access to Athens State University’s Learning Partnership program  

This comprehensive set of benefits ensures that businesses are not just passively involved but actively engaged in shaping Wallace State’s educational programs to better meet industry demands. By participating in advisory boards and leadership teams, companies can directly influence the development of future workers, creating a well-prepared labor force that meets their specific needs.   

For more information about the Powerful Partnerships program and how your business can get involved, email Simone Grant at simone.grant@wallacestate.edu or call her at 256.352.7453.  

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About Wallace State

Wallace State Community College (Ala.), a member of the Alabama Community College System, is a comprehensive community college in north central Alabama offering more than 200 options in academic, health and technical programs of study leading to an associate degree, certificate or transfer, as well as workforce-credit training and adult education. An Achieving the Dream Leader College, nationally recognized by the Aspen Institute as a Rising Star for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, ranked by Southern Business and Development among the Top 3 institutions in the South for workforce development, named a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing and the National Security Administration, rated the Top Online Community College in Alabama, a Military Friendly Institution and an All-Steinway School, Wallace State is an outstanding place for students to pursue their education and career goals. Classes are offered online and on campus, day, evening and on weekends, with numerous start dates each year. Visit Wallace State’s beautiful main campus located on 300-acres in Hanceville, Ala., our satellite location in downtown Oneonta, Ala., find us online at www.wallacestate.edu, or call 256.352.8000.

Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics, right, shakes hands with Augusta’s Grill owner Josh Veres after they signed a Powerful Partnership agreement.

Tanya Knight, left, and TJ Franey, center, from the Cullman County Board of Education pose for a photograph with Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics after signing a Powerful Partnership agreement.

Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics, right, and Happy Tails owner Paige Dowdy with her dog Serengeti, pose for a photograph after signing a Powerful Partnership agreement.

Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics, right, and Lawn Doctor owner Jake Minor pose for a photograph after signing a Powerful Partnership agreement.