Academics
Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is a public two-year community college that offers open admission to any student wishing to either transfer to a four-year college or obtain the training needed to go directly into the workforce. Numerous majors are offered across both liberal arts and STEM curriculums, as well as the Fine Arts, and Health, Wellness, Food & Nutrition. The Health Services division offers degrees in nursing and applied sciences that can be used in respiratory therapy, work as a medical laboratory technician, and health information technology. Within its technical division, students are trained for a specific vocation or industry, including machine tool technology, salon and spa management, and business office management and technology. The college has multiple corporate partnerships and apprenticeships to train and channel students directly into a specific workforce within the region, including the Mercedes Benz Mechatronics Program (teaching students to help build automobiles at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance, Alabama), the Nucor Technical Academy (free tuition and room and board at one of the largest steelmaking companies), and the Hunt Refining Company Operations Co-Op Program (petroleum refinement). In service of the community, the Shelton State Community Education program offers short-term, non-credit courses to local adults who are looking to change career paths or further existing skills or knowledge.
Career
The school has been designated as the Alabama Junior College of the Fine Arts by the state legislature; the Theatre Tuscaloosa is based on campus, as is the Alabama Stage and Screen Hall of Fame (which holds an annual event to induct new members). Several extracurricular activities are available to students, including the Shelton State Ambassador program, the Math Team, and the Collegiate 100 program, which provides mentorship to students as they transition from high school to college. Students can also avail themselves of Student Success Seminars, which are one-hour events covering topics such as time management, note taking, and health and wellness. The school hosts many traditional annual events, including Homecoming festivities, a Spring Fling, a Fall Tailgate, and a costume contest at Halloween.
Culture
Most students who attend Shelton State do so with the intention of transferring to a four-year institution, and the school makes it very straightforward to do so for Alabama public colleges; those wishing to transfer elsewhere just need to consult one of the school's educational planners, who will help develop a plan of study to meet the transfer requirements of the accepting institution. Many students also choose to follow a specific apprenticeship program, and the top percentage go on to work where they received that training (i.e., Mercedes Benz or Nucor). Additionally, numerous Workforce Development certifications are in place, such as forklift operation, food safety training, and injecting molding.
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