Wallace State to host ribbon cutting for Winston County Community Learning Center

Hanceville, Ala. — Wallace State Community College will host a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the new Winston County Community Learning Center on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.

The new facility represents a significant investment in expanding educational access and workforce development opportunities for underserved residents of Winston County and surrounding areas. The center will offer a variety of programs, including Adult Education and Workforce Training. The center will also provide virtual access to the college’s online programs and student services. Learning spaces may be used by students and the community.

“We are proud to open the Winston County Community Learning Center as part of our ongoing mission to serve the educational and economic needs of our region,” said Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics. “This center will be a hub for learning, growth and opportunity for the people of Winston County.”

Local officials, community leaders, and representatives from Wallace State will be in attendance. Local and state officials expected to attend include Sen. Garlan Gudger, Jr., Rep. Tim Wadsworth, and Arley Mayor Chris Tyree. The public is invited to join the celebration and tour the new facility following the ceremony.

The Winston County Community Learning Center is located at 360 Helicon Road in Arley, next to Meek Baptist Church. The Arley Town Council generously offered the college the use of the property for a $1 per year lease. Funding for the center was provided by the Alabama Legislature, who has approved more than $1.1 million over the last few years, and the Alabama Community College System.

Registration for the Fall 2025 semester is underway, with classes beginning on Aug. 19. Incoming freshmen are encouraged to attend sessions of Wallace Way to tour campus, learn how to navigate their student accounts, get a student ID, parking pass and more. Visit www.wallacestate.edu/advising to register.

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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 program 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.