Alan Smith is taking on added responsibility and a new
title after being named the vice president of Capital Projects,
Community Relations and Workforce Development at Gadsden State Community
College.

In this new role, Smith will be responsible for assisting in the
development of goals and strategies for capital improvements, enhancing
community and public relations, promoting workforce development efforts
and other administrative responsibilities. He will also ensure the
availability of appropriate workforce training opportunities to meet
regional needs and further Gadsden State’s mission to support local
economic growth.

“I am honored to accept this position at Gadsden State,” Smith said. “I
look forward to continuing to work with faculty, staff and community
leaders to strengthen our workforce development initiatives, improve our
facilities and build stronger relationships within our community. Gadsen
State will continue providing high-quality, accessible education and
training that meets the needs of our students and the industries in
Alabama.”

Smith has been the dean of Workforce Development since 2019. In the
role, he oversaw Engineering Technologies, Applied Technologies, Adult
Education Services, Continuing Education and the Skills Training
Division. As the vice president, he will continue supervising those
departments.

“I’m grateful to be able to continue serving Gadsden State as we work
together to create new opportunities for growth, innovation and
success,” he said.

Over $36 million has been invested in career technical education under
his leadership and enrollment continues to increase. He was instrumental
in growing the East Alabama Federation for Advanced Manufacturing
Education (FAME) and creating the Consortium of Machining Education
Training (CoMeT). The two-year technical degree programs combine
cutting-edge curriculum with paid working experiences at world-class
manufacturing facilities. FAME students focus on advanced manufacturing
and industrial automation while CoMeT students are trained in Precision
Machining.

Most recently, Smith was integral in securing funding for the new
Advanced Manufacturing and Workplace Skills Training Center on the East
Broad Campus. The $24 million facility provides a high-tech, hands-on
learning environment for students seeking careers in high-demand,
high-wage industries, including Mechatronics, Industrial Automation,
Precision Machining, Mechanical Design Technology, Additive
Manufacturing and Electronics Engineering.

Smith has also been appointed by Gov. Kay Ivey to serve on the Region 2
Workforce Development Committee and to serve as the subject matter
expert of the Architecture and Construction Committee for the Alabama
Committee on Credentialing and Career Pathways.

Smith earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business and
Economics in 1992 from Auburn University. In 1994, he was awarded a
Master of Science in Education from Auburn followed by a master’s degree
in Educational Leadership from the University of Alabama.

Smith started his career as an agriscience teacher at Hokes Bluff High
School, where he worked for 11 years before opening his own construction
and cabinet making business. In 2012, he returned to education as the
building construction teacher at the Marshall County Technical School.
In 2016, he was hired as the building construction instructor and
coordinator of Alabama Simulated Workplace at the Etowah County Career
Technical Center.

Smith has been honored many times for his outstanding work in education.
Earlier in his career, he was named the Teacher of the Year at the
Etowah County School System, Hokes Bluff High School, Marshall County
Technical School and Etowah County Career Technical School. He was also
named Alabama’s Most Outstanding Agriscience Technology Teacher.

In 2023, he was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Administrators from
the Alabama Community College System. In May, he received the Excellence
in Post-Secondary Administration Award at the Etowah Chamber’s
Excellence in Education Awards Ceremony. In November, he was appointed
chair of the Workforce Commission for ACCS.