The Alabama Aviation College, a unit of Enterprise State, celebrated the re-opening of its James Douglas Brown, Sr. Building with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, January 19.

The facility, known as the Brown Building, was originally named the Alabama Institute for Aviation Technology. It served as one of the only civilian schools in the nation in 1960 that offered courses in aircraft maintenance for both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. The first classes were held on October 3, 1960, and 118 students were enrolled. 


In 1967, the building was renamed as the James Douglas Brown, Sr. Building in honor of the former mayor of Ozark, who served two terms beginning in the 1940s.

“Mr. Brown – Mayor Brown – was instrumental in not only getting this campus started, but he was also instrumental in getting Enterprise State in [the City of] Enterprise when the community college system launched in the mid-60s,” Enterprise State Community College President Danny Long said.

The $5 million renovation project to the building has resulted in three updated aviation classrooms/labs, an updated CDL classroom and an aviation hangar that will allow the College to train students for their future careers.

Since 2016, the College has seen in increase in enrollment, especially in the A&P program, resulting in the need for more classrooms and labs. AAC Campus Director Stan Smith said that the current enrollment numbers in the A&P program puts the College “in the very top of schools in the United States.”

“The real reason for growth is the demand for our graduates,” he said. “All of our programs on campus offer careers that offer enough income to support a family. I believe our best recruiters are those that graduate and get a job.”

To highlight the need for skilled workers in the aviation industry, Stan Smith said that a search on an aviation job site showed over 3,400 open aviation maintenance job openings, over 2,400 Avionics job openings, and almost 400 aviation composites job openings.

“It’s obvious there’s a shortage of skilled workers, and we exist to help solve that problem,” he said.

Holle Smith, president of the Ozark-Dale County Economic Development Corporation, said that the College is used for recruiting industry and aiding current industry in the area.

“The growth we’ve seen at the College, we feel like, is not only a reflection, but also a projection of the growth of the community,” she said, sharing thanks for the partnership with the College.

AAC currently has dual enrollment partnerships with Dothan City, Houston County, Ozark City, Dale County, Pike County, Troy City, Enterprise City, Coffee County, Geneva County, Geneva City, Andalusia City and Covington County Schools Systems to train high school students for high-demand careers through the Aviation Maintenance Technician (also known as A&P), Avionics and Mechatronics programs.

The College also has numerous partnerships with business and industry throughout the Wiregrass, including M1 Support Services at Fort Novosel, CAE USA, Arista, McDermott Aviation in Andalusia and Commercial Jet.

Rep. Steve Clouse, whose support has helped see many of the renovations happen on AAC’s campus, said during the event, “This is THE Alabama Aviation College. It is certainly a gem for the City of Ozark, for Wiregrass and for the whole State of Alabama.”

Troy Maharrey will serve the Alabama Aviation College as its 2023-24 SGA President.

As SGA President, Maharrey hopes to build a sense of community on campus while also focusing on academic growth.

His goals include adding a National Business Association Chapter or a Women in Aviation Chapter to further promote students in a positive light for future business opportunities. He said that “adding more of these social events would not only make the college more welcoming but also relieve stress after a long day of learning.”

Maharrey hopes, while holding this position, to learn how to truly be a leader and work with other students to push advancement as a student body. “With everyone’s help, we can unlock the school’s full potential,” he said.

“I ran for SGA President to ensure that I can give the future students and current students of the school not only the amazing experience I have received but also more opportunities for advancement in their future career and education through this esteemed institution.”

Voting was held on October 2-3. Officers were announced on October 4. Maharrey will serve with Vice President Alexandra Cole, Secretary Trinity Everett, Sophomore Senator Chevy Skinner, and Freshman Senators Grayson Bell, Owen Carpenter and James Chambers.

Ms. Gracie Spink will serve Enterprise State Community College as its 2023-24 Miss ESCC.

Spink was chosen to wear the crown out of five contestants and was also named the interview winner and Most Photogenic during the Miss ESCC pageant held Thursday, October 5. She was crowned by the 2022-23 Miss ESCC Joycelyn Tinker.

Spink is the daughter of Joseph and Renee Spink and Mike and Tiffany Forrester. She is a freshman general studies major. Spink is an active member of the Student Support Services Advisory Board. When she is not active with community and college activities, she enjoys reading for leisure, spending time with her family and friends and going to the gym.

As Miss ESCC, Spink will represent the College’s values and programs on campus and throughout the local communities. She will also be eligible to receive a $2,000 scholarship.

Out of the remaining four participants, sophomore special education major Mckenlie Jerkins was named first runner up. Sophomore business and management major Taylor Revels was named Miss Congeniality.

All five contestants in the 2022-23 Miss ESCC pageant were Gracie Spink, Mckenlie Jerkins, Taylor Revels, freshman pharmacy major Kelcy Cooper and sophomore general studies major Gracie Moran.

To invite Miss ESCC to visit your event or organization, please call 334-347-2623 ext. 6800.

Six mechatronics students from Enterprise State Community College have received scholarships from Rex Lumber.

This year’s Robert and Kathryn McRae/Rex Lumber Scholarship recipients were Easton Booth, Seth Daugherty, Preston Garner, Wesley Garner, John Hatten and Jacob Mock. The scholarship is offered to students pursuing their associate degree in Mechatronics. Each scholarship is a one-year scholarship for 33 semester hours of tuition and/or books and supplies for required classes.

To apply, students must have a minimum 2.5 high school GPA and must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA every semester enrolled at ESCC. Students can reapply for the scholarship for their second year in the Mechatronics program.

ESCC’s Mechatronics program offers students the opportunity to complete individual and industry-recognized certifications, short-term certificate training, and the transferable associate degree.

Charles Mills is a father, husband and worker, with plans to own his own business one day. Thanks to online classes at Enterprise State Community College, he’ll be ready for his future when he completes his associate degree this fall.

Mills first attended classes at the Alabama Aviation College, a unit of Enterprise State, after graduating from high school; however, life happened, and he had to step away from his education.

He has since spent the next several years working, sometimes holding three jobs at a time. His working career and personal life changes led Mills to realize that he wanted to return to school in 2021 and complete an associate degree in business and administration with a focus in management and supervision.

“When my father passed, that was one thing, and then working so much, I wanted to get a degree to make it easier,” he said. “I want to start a business, just something to get me where I’m on my own and making myself money.”

Mills said online classes has been the best option for him to return to school.

“Online classes are great,” he said. “I’ve loved it. [I’ve gotten} support from the instructors. You can have tutoring sessions. I run into some people that I didn’t even know were in my class, and I’m friends with them. You make friends within the [class], and you can talk to them. We stay in touch with each other.”

He said that he would encourage anyone who may be thinking about returning to school, whether in-person or online, to do it.

“Don’t give up,” he said. “Just do your best and try. Just be proud of yourself. Don’t say you can’t. That’s the biggest thing.”

Mills also said he is ready to take part in graduation next May.

“I am going to walk [at graduation],” he said. “I am excited. I told my wife, ‘I haven’t walked since 2006, so I’m going to do it. I think it’ll be pretty cool.’

“I have my high school diploma, and then I’m going to have my college degree.”

On Tuesday, October 17, community members will have the opportunity to see what resources are available to them.

Hosted by Wiregrass Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), Coffee County Association of Service Agencies, and Enterprise State Community College Student Services, the Community Resource Fair will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the ESCC Student Center. The fair, which will include participants that provide mental health resources to community members, will be held as part of activities recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month.

The event is free and open to the public.

“Please join us at ESCC to connect with local community services and mental health care organizations,” Wiregrass EOC Director Jennifer Braden said. “Representatives from organizations such as Spectracare, Christian Mission, Bradford Health, Coffee County Health Department, local food pantries, and more will be available to share information about available services, many of which are free. There are many available opportunities for individuals to receive assistance and support from their community organizations and this resource fair provides agencies and individuals the chance to connect.”

EOC also invites interested agencies and organizations to participate in the event and share resource information to community members. Any agencies interested in taking part in the event can contact Braden at jbraden@escc.edu or by calling 334-406-0495.

This August, Enterprise State Community College was officially designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C).

According to the NCAE-C website:

“NCAE-C program aims to create and manage a collaborative cybersecurity educational program with community colleges, colleges, and universities that:

• Establishes standards for cybersecurity curriculum and academic excellence,

• Includes competency development among students and faculty,

• Values community outreach and leadership in professional development, 

• Integrates cybersecurity practice within the institution across academic disciplines,

• Actively engages in solutions to challenges facing cybersecurity education.”

The CAE-CD designation is reserved for academic institutions that offer cybersecurity degrees or certificates at all degree levels. ESCC offers an associate of applied science in Computer Information Science (CIS) with an Information Security and Assurance (ISA) Option.

“It informs our students and the community that our CIS ISA degree is recognized by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security to provide a quality education in cybersecurity,” CIS Instructor Rosalyn Warren, whose work led to ESCC receiving the CAE-CD designation, said. “It provides student scholarships, grant opportunities, networking events, cyber curricula, and professional development opportunities.”

Before applying for the designation, Warren and CIS Instructor Lee Scarborough worked with an advisory committee and partners like CompTIA, EC-Council, Cisco and Fortinet to offer industry-recognized certifications within the degree’s courses, and she had to ensure that the ISA degree curriculum met the National Institution for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) framework.

“I’ve been working on the CAE-CD designation for about a year,” Warren said. “The National Security Agency (NSA) provides a schedule for each phase. We started in October 2022 and were awarded the designation in August 2023. The ISA program was validated by the NSA in February 2023 and designated in August 2023.”

In addition to the ISA program being validated by the NSA this year, ESCC also previously joined the Microsoft Learn for Educators program, which adds Microsoft certifications into CIS curriculum, and AWS (Amazon Web Services) Academy, which provides access to ready-to-teach cloud computing curriculum. 

Warren said there will be more cybersecurity activities on ESCC’s campus to engage and educate students and the community because of this designation. 

The College will hold the CAE-CD designation until 2028 and will need to reapply for the designation every four years. 

The Enterprise State Community College Cross Country Team placed in top spots during the Huntingdon College Hawk Opener on Sept. 8.

The men’s team beat Southern Union State Community College, Huntingdon College, and Faulkner University to win the Hawk Opener. Freshman runner Samuel (Cole) Charles finished first for the ESCC Boll Weevils, setting a personal record for the 5k by breaking 19 minutes for the first time.

The ESCC women’s team came in second place to Huntingdon College, beating Faulkner University, Southern Union State Community College, and Lagrange College. Freshman runner Abby Allen finished in second place with a new personal record for time in the 5k.

The Enterprise State Community College Foundation is rolling out the red carpet for this year’s “Dancing for Scholarships” event happening Tuesday, October 24.

“Dancing for Scholarships” is the Foundation’s annual scholarship fundraising event. Last year, the dancing competition raised over $76,000 in funds that were used to for ESCC Foundation scholarships covering a variety of career and degree programs. Currently, scholarships offered through the ESCC Foundation total around $100,000.

This year, nine area stars and their dancing partners will compete for two trophies with dances inspired by hit Hollywood blockbusters. This year’s stars are Ross Bonura, general sales manager at Mitchell Nissan, dancing with Holle Smith, president of the Ozark-Dale County Economic Development Corporation; Ashley Gresko, ESCC music instructor, dancing with Brantley Box, apprentice funeral director and embalmer at Searcy Funeral Home; Tracie Gulledge, gym manager and personal trainer at Crossfit FXT, dancing with Chad Thrash, sales director at Mitchell Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Ram; Rhett Harrelson, head basketball coach at Enterprise High School (EHS), dancing with Emily Faught, national sales recruiter at Total Quality Logistics; Mary Katherine Head, Assistant District Attorney to the State of Alabama for the 12^th Judicial Circuit, dancing with Grant Williams, Youth Worship Director at Highpointe Church; Gabe Martin, Alfa Insurance Agent, dancing with Megan Wilks, trainer and coach at Crossfit FXT and office manager at M&W Consultants; Monica Reynolds, unit supply manager at The Central Property Book Office on Fort Novosel and owner of Uppity Events by Monica, dancing with Aaron Shealey, assistant choral music director at EHS; David Schutz, President of Schutz Insurance, dancing with Brook Bynum, ESCC student; and Odie Thompson, ESCC CDL Instructor, dancing with Raegan Hanson, teacher at Hillcrest Elementary School.

Ticket sales for “Dancing for Scholarships” open Sept. 1. Early Bird price is $60 from Sept. 1-14. Starting Sept. 15, tickets will be $75. Tickets can be purchased online at fundraiser.support/DFS2023 and must be purchased in advance.

Table sponsorships are also available. These can be purchased at fundraiser.support/DFS2023 or by contacting Natalie Bradley at (334) 347-2623 ext. 2992 or nbradley@escc.edu. Doors will open on Oct. 24 at 6:00 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:15 p.m., and the competition will start at 7 p.m.

Last year, Enterprise State Community College reached approximately 6,000 individuals through classes, camps, and more, and the College is set to make an even stronger impact this year, starting with a 12% increase in enrollment.

ESCC’s impact from August 2022-August 2023 includes participation in the College’s degree and certificate programs, adult education program, non-credit training classes, community activities and camps, and support programs housed at the College:

• Last year, 2,844 individual students enrolled in classes at ESCC, including through dual enrollment. This is a 11% increase in enrollment from the 2021-22 year and includes students enrolled full term, in mini-term classes or in certificate programs.

• ESCC’s Adult Education Program saw 805 individuals enrolled in GED classes, the High School Diploma Option Program, or English Language Learner classes last year. There were 89 students who graduated with their GED or completed the HSDO program.

• Through the Workforce Development Program, the College provided non-credit, short-term training to 484 individuals. These trainings were often taught by ESCC faculty and staff or utilized curriculum developed by business and industry leaders, such as the Skills for Success and NC3 certification curriculum.

• Two TRiO programs housed at ESCC, the Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) and Educational Talent Search (ETS), helped over 1,300 individuals prepare for their postsecondary plans. More information about TRiO programs can be found at escc.edu/trio.

• ESCC offers several camps aimed to keep area children and youth active and learning during the summer months. This year, ESCC saw over 450 participants in summer camps, which included sports camps, an aviation camp on the AAC campus, and the popular Camp Weevil.

“ESCC’s mission is to help improve our community,” President Danny Long said. “We’re doing that, and we’re seeing growth because of it. We’re constructing new facilities to meet workforce demand, we’re offering essential career training opportunities, and we’re continuing to provide high-quality educational experiences in the classroom. We’ve got a strong adult education program, and we’re offering more enrichment opportunities for area children and high schoolers. No matter your background, no matter your age, we have something for you here at Enterprise State, and I’m proud to work with a team of people who believe in what we’re doing at this college.”

For the 2023-23 academic year, ESCC is already starting strong with a 12% increase in enrollment, and there is still a chance for anyone interested in pursuing a degree or career training to start this fall. The College’s second mini term, which is about seven weeks, offers students a second chance to take either academic or some career tech classes. The next mini term starts on Monday, October 16.

For students who are interested in registering for second mini term classes, they can apply at escc.edu/apply and then start the registration process at escc.edu/registration or by emailing advising@escc.edu.