Central Alabama Community College
CACC is one of Alabama’s five original community colleges. The school has its main campus in Alexander City and three additional locations in Childersburg, Talladega and Prattville.
During the 2023-24 academic year, CACC enrolled 2,429 students in for-credit programs, and 1,055 high school students are enrolled in dual enrollment courses at the college. The college awarded more than 363 degrees and certificates in the 2023-24 academic year.
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1, CACC offers associate in science, associate in applied science and associate in occupational technology degrees.
Students who choose the associate in science degree path can transfer to a four-year college or university to finish their course of study. Students who choose the associate in applied science degree path can pursue a degree in computer science, general business, office administration, nursing, automotive manufacturing technology, medical assisting technology and industrial electronics technology. Finally, students who choose the associate in occupational technology degree can pursue cosmetology, machine shop or welding. Many career tech programs offer students the option to pursue a degree while earning certifications.
Major workforce development programs offered at the college include auto manufacturing, welding, nursing, industrial electrics technology, computer information systems, office administration, truck driving, machine shop, cosmetology and marine technology.
The dual enrollment program continues to grow rapidly at CACC, with students from some 30 high schools participating in both academic and technical courses.
CACC also offers several free community-based classes, adult education career pathways and the Ready-to-Work program. Its Skills for Success program offers a large variety of career technical programs free, including online or lab courses.
Recently, CACC introduced stand-alone practical nursing programs for the Alexander City campus. Now, this program is offered at every CACC campus.
CACC also offers AI Artificial Intelligence, an Intel program.
CACC has several agreements with other colleges to help students finish degrees, including a new arrangement with Auburn University for nursing students.
CACC also has a very successful sports program, and its head baseball coach, Larry Thomas, was recently inducted into the University of Maine Hall of Fame.
The campus is undergoing library and theater renovations.
Southern Union State Community College
The second-oldest community college in Alabama, Southern Union State Community College (SUSCC), has three campus locations in Wadley, Opelika and Valley. SUSCC serves residents of an eight-county area of east and central Alabama, as well as neighboring Georgia counties.
The Valley campus in Chambers County is undergoing renovations, most of which are at the John R. Carmichael building. The renovation will expand space and enable the school to introduce new programs to the campus. Renovations are expected to be completed by December 2024.
This article appears in the December 2024 issue of Business Alabama.
