During its April 8 meeting, the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) Board of Trustees approved the renaming of Snuggs Hall to Matt Rodgers Hall, honoring Enterprise State Community College’s former president.

During Matt Rodgers’ leadership from 2017 to 2022, the College experienced consistent enrollment growth, expanded scholarship opportunities, and increased transfer pathways for students. The College also introduced new career and technical programs to better meet workforce demands, particularly in healthcare. These additions included the Medical Assistant Technology program, the Practical Nursing (PN) Bridge program, and the reinstatement of the Paramedic program.

A Coffee County native, Rodgers dedicated 28 years to a distinguished career in education. Before joining ESCC, he served as principal of Enterprise High School and previously held roles as a teacher, coach, and administrator at Zion Chapel High School and Andalusia High School. Throughout his career, Rodgers was known as a committed leader who worked tirelessly to help students build meaningful futures. He retired from education in May 2022 and passed away the following month.

“I am appreciative of and grateful for the decision by the ACCS Board of Trustees to honor President Matt Rodgers’ legacy with the naming of our new health science building,” President Danny Long said. “Matt was a selfless leader who always prioritized the best interests of the students he served. His passion for our community never wavered, and I can think of no more fitting honor than for this building to bear his name.”

Snuggs Hall was originally named for the late William Elbert Snuggs, an early advocate for the College who made one of its first financial contributions in the 1960s. Snuggs served as principal of Enterprise High School, as well as president of the Alabama Education Association (AEA) and the Alabama Retired Teachers Association. The building previously housed the College’s Learning Resources Center, including the library and student services.

With plans to renovate the facility to meet rising healthcare training needs, the new name reflects both its future purpose and Rodgers’ legacy. Since Rodgers’ tenure, ESCC has continued to expand its nursing program to meet workforce needs. New offerings include a traditional PN program, an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Mobility Program and a traditional ADN program. As these programs, and their enrollment, grew, so did the need for a dedicated healthcare training facility.

In 2024, in partnership with the ESCC Foundation, the College announced the “Our Community, Our Future” capital campaign to support renovations to Snuggs Hall. The campaign raised $2.4 million toward the $7 million project. The renovated 20,000 sq. ft. facility will provide a state-of-the-art learning environment, featuring immersive technology designed to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals to serve Enterprise and the surrounding communities. The building will include five learning labs, five classrooms and dedicated study and lounge spaces for students and faculty.

ESCC is proud to support student success through a team of experienced faculty and staff committed to delivering high-quality, 21st-century healthcare education. The first classes in the new Matt Rodgers Hall are anticipated to begin in Fall 2026.