Shelton State Community College Students Participate in HBCU Co-Op Program

April 26, 2022 – Shelton State Community College students, Brittany Barner and Deja Evans, were recently selected to participate in the 2022 Alabama Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Co-op Legislative Day on April 13, 2022. At this special event, Barner and Evans met with Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, members of the legislature, and members of the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs. Accompanying Barner and Evans were Dr. Andrea Bowden-Evans, Associate Dean of Health Services, and Dr. Khristy Large, Business Office Management and Technology Instructor.

Created under the umbrella of the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs’ (GOMA) Alabama HBCU Initiative, the Alabama HBCU Co-op Program is incorporated into Governor Ivey’s “Strong Start, Strong Finish” initiative and focused on apprenticeships and work-based learning programs. The purpose of the program is to establish a pipeline for diverse talent between Alabama’s HBCUs and employers. Eligible students from HBCUs will be afforded opportunities for invaluable hands-on work experience within their fields of study in both the public and private sectors.

To be eligible, students are required to gain professional experience in their areas of study. Two to three semesters of work experience are required with students able to alternate between semesters of classes and professional work.  Working between 15 and 40 hours per week, students receive an hourly wage. At the program’s conclusion, students will receive professional evaluations and complete a final project.

“HBCUs have a long history of academic excellence and social justice impact, and they have produced influential alumni across the world,” shared Dr. Large. “Hearing first-hand the real-world work experiences and career connections from our state’s most talented student was insightful.  Thanks to Governor Ivey and GOMA’s commitment to the HBCU Co-op Program, our graduates will be better prepared to become leaders and will possess the skills needed to excel in the workplace and life.”

For more information about Shelton State Community College’s HBCU status, visit sheltonstate.edu.