It is no secret that Alabama’s Correctional system is a nightmare, especially when it comes to our disregard for civil and human rights of the incarcerated felons in our state prisons. That is why we have been under the wrath of the federal court system. A new mega prison is being currently constructed, which will help to comply with the federal mandates.
What many Alabamians do not realize is how successful our Alabama Community College System (ACCS) has become over the last decade under the guidance and leadership of Chancellor Jimmy Baker. Most state colleges and junior colleges have seen the numbers of enrollees decline in recent years; however, not in Alabama. Our Alabama Community College system has seen an almost double digit increase in enrollment. This is primarily because the Chancellor and system have adopted a modern-day approach to teaching Alabamians skills and crafts that lead to their graduates attaining high paying jobs in Alabama, which are in demand in today’s workforce. Ninety-seven percent of all Alabama Community College attendees and graduates are from Alabama and almost all graduates have jobs awaiting them in our state. The much-heralded Working for Alabama program, advanced by the legislature last year, would not have been possible without the Community College system. It was the integral ingredient. There is no question that the funds appropriated by the legislature to the Community College system are the most valuable investment made with higher education dollars in our state.
