WCCD Selected as Regional Work-Based Learning Best Practice

Wallace Community College-Dothan (WCCD) has been selected as a 2026–27 Regional Work-Based Learning (WBL) Best Practice and a contender for the Alabama Seal of Excellence in Work-Based Learning for its Wallace to Work: Your Career Starts Here! initiative.

Wallace to Work introduces ninth-grade students to career opportunities through hands-on activities, demonstrations, facility tours, and direct interaction with Wallace faculty, students, and local industry professionals. The initiative is designed to help students begin connecting their interests and abilities with potential career pathways while gaining a better understanding of the education, training, and skills required to enter those fields.

“We are honored that Wallace to Work is being recognized as a Regional Work-Based Learning Best Practice,” said Dr. Kathy L. Murphy, WCCD President. “One of the most important things we can do for young people is help them see the possibilities available to them. By bringing students onto our campuses and connecting them with educators and industry professionals, we are helping them envision a future right here in the Wiregrass and understand the career pathways that can take them there.”

The inaugural Wallace to Work event was held at the College’s Sparks Campus in Eufaula and reached more than 200 students. Building on that success, Wallace is expanding the initiative to its Dothan Campus, increasing the program’s capacity to reach more than 1,000 ninth-grade students annually.

The program strengthens connections among K–12 schools, higher education, and local business and industry. Through interactive career exploration, students can learn about a variety of occupations while seeing firsthand how classroom learning, technical education, credentials, and college programs connect to opportunities in the workforce.

“Career exploration is most effective when students have an opportunity to experience it rather than simply hear about it,” said Dr. Chris Kennedy, WCCD Dean of Workforce Development and Career Technical Education. “Wallace to Work gives ninth-grade students the chance to see careers in action, ask questions, interact with professionals, and discover pathways they may not have considered before. At the same time, we are working alongside our K–12 and industry partners to build a stronger pipeline between education and the workforce needs of our region.”

As a Regional WBL Best Practice, Wallace Community College will present Wallace to Work: Your Career Starts Here! at the Southeast Alabama WBL Convening on October 29 at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College’s Greenville Campus.

Following regional presentations in November, four recipients will be selected for the Alabama WBL Seal of Excellence, recognizing exemplary work-based learning practices across the state.