Type | Public, historically black community and technical college |
---|---|
Established | 1961 |
Affiliation | Alabama Community College System |
President | Dr. Patricia Sims [1] |
Total staff | 61 |
Undergraduates | 976 |
Location | , , 34°46′19″N 86°34′26″W / 34.77194°N 86.57389°W |
Campus | Urban, 32 acres (.13 km²) |
Colors | Blue and White |
Nickname | Drake State |
Mascot | Blue Eagle |
Website |
drakestate |
J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College (Drake State) is a public, historically black community and technical college in Huntsville, Alabama. The college was founded as Huntsville State Vocational Technical College in 1961. Drake State is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and offers associate degrees, certificates and non-credit courses through its 16 programs. [2] [3]
In 2021, Drake State was announced as one of six institutions to receive NASA’s Inclusion Across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science Award. In partnership with NASA's Minority University Research and Education Project, the college received approximately $1.2 million to expand its Frontiers Research Program for STEM workforce development and offer free STEM programs to local middle and high school students. [4] [5]
Drake State was founded in 1961 as the Huntsville State Vocational Technical College by the Alabama State Board of Education, and initially offered courses to African-American students. Classes commenced in September 1962 with 27 students enrolled in three programs: brick masonry, cosmetology and auto mechanics. The school comprised one building that sat on 32 acres (0.13 km2) of land deeded by Alabama A&M University. [6] [3] [7]
In 1966, the school was renamed J. F. Drake State Technical Trade School in honor of Joseph Fanning Drake, a long-serving president of Alabama A&M University. [3] [7]
In 1967, the school became the first desegregated postsecondary technical school in the United States. [8]
In 1973, it was designated a technical college by the state board of education, and adopted the name J.F. Drake State Technical College. [7]
In 2012, Drake State attained full accreditation, which was required to establish transfer agreements with four-year institutions in Alabama. The agreements would allow students to transfer their Drake State credits to a four-year institution after earning an associate degree at Drake State. [7]
In 2013, the school was renamed J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College with state approval. Drake State is the first and only higher education institution in Alabama to receive this naming convention, which allows the college to operate as both a traditional two-year community college, while retaining its technical trade programs. [7]
The main campus of J.F. Drake State consists of the following:
All of the original core buildings of the campus remain to this day and consist mostly of mid-century modern single level architecture. Many buildings have been heavily renovated to meet current technology needs, but some still contain their completely original fittings and layouts. The campus is landscaped and has been awarded Huntsville's Beautification Award on several occasions. [15]
Drake State operates under five divisions: Advanced Manufacturing Technologies; Applied Services Technologies; Business, Computer Science and Engineering Technologies; General and Developmental Education; and Health Sciences Technologies. [16]
A typical academic year is broken up into two 16-week terms during the fall (August–December) and spring (January–May). Within each full term are two accelerated sessions that last approximately seven weeks each. The full summer term is 10 weeks long (May–August). Within the term are two accelerated sessions that each last approximately five weeks. An academic year begins on the first day of the fall term and ends on the last day of the summer term. [17]
Drake State has an open admissions policy and accepts life experience as credits. [2] The college offers early entry and dual enrollment programs to local high school students. [18] [19] In addition to its associate and certificate degree programs, Drake State offers adult education/ GED courses. The college also offers a continuing education and adult skills training program as well as a training for existing business and industry program through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs Workforce Development division. [18] [20]
Drake State has transfer agreements with every public four-year institution in Alabama. The agreements allow students to automatically transfer after completing an associate degree at Drake State. [21]
As of fall 2020, Drake State's student body consists of 825 students. There are 31 percent full-time and 69 percent part-time students. [2]
Full and Part Time Students | U.S. Census [b] [22] | |
---|---|---|
International | 2% | N/A |
Multiracial American | 5% | 2.8% |
Black/African American | 62% | 13.4% |
American Indian and Alaska Native | 1% | 1.3% |
Asian | 1% | 5.9% |
Non-Hispanic White American | 23% | 60.1% |
Hispanic/Latino American | 5% | 18.5% |
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | 0% | 0.2% |
Other/Unknown | 2% | N/A |
Several student clubs and organizations operate at Drake State, including honors societies and student government, special interest and service organizations. [3]
Campus groups include: Cyber Security Club; Entrepreneurship Club; International Association of Administrative Professionals; Medical Assisting Technology Club; Phi Beta Lambda; Phi Theta Kappa; S.C. O’Neal, Sr. Library and Technology Center Book Club; SkillsUSA and Student Ambassador's Program. [23]
Drake State holds an annual "Mr. and Ms. Drake State" pageant to honor a select group of students who represent the school and embody the school's spirit. Drake State also holds an annual car show, sponsored by its automotive program. [3]
Type | Public, historically black community and technical college |
---|---|
Established | 1961 |
Affiliation | Alabama Community College System |
President | Dr. Patricia Sims [1] |
Total staff | 61 |
Undergraduates | 976 |
Location | , , 34°46′19″N 86°34′26″W / 34.77194°N 86.57389°W |
Campus | Urban, 32 acres (.13 km²) |
Colors | Blue and White |
Nickname | Drake State |
Mascot | Blue Eagle |
Website |
drakestate |
J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College (Drake State) is a public, historically black community and technical college in Huntsville, Alabama. The college was founded as Huntsville State Vocational Technical College in 1961. Drake State is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and offers associate degrees, certificates and non-credit courses through its 16 programs. [2] [3]
In 2021, Drake State was announced as one of six institutions to receive NASA’s Inclusion Across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science Award. In partnership with NASA's Minority University Research and Education Project, the college received approximately $1.2 million to expand its Frontiers Research Program for STEM workforce development and offer free STEM programs to local middle and high school students. [4] [5]
Drake State was founded in 1961 as the Huntsville State Vocational Technical College by the Alabama State Board of Education, and initially offered courses to African-American students. Classes commenced in September 1962 with 27 students enrolled in three programs: brick masonry, cosmetology and auto mechanics. The school comprised one building that sat on 32 acres (0.13 km2) of land deeded by Alabama A&M University. [6] [3] [7]
In 1966, the school was renamed J. F. Drake State Technical Trade School in honor of Joseph Fanning Drake, a long-serving president of Alabama A&M University. [3] [7]
In 1967, the school became the first desegregated postsecondary technical school in the United States. [8]
In 1973, it was designated a technical college by the state board of education, and adopted the name J.F. Drake State Technical College. [7]
In 2012, Drake State attained full accreditation, which was required to establish transfer agreements with four-year institutions in Alabama. The agreements would allow students to transfer their Drake State credits to a four-year institution after earning an associate degree at Drake State. [7]
In 2013, the school was renamed J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College with state approval. Drake State is the first and only higher education institution in Alabama to receive this naming convention, which allows the college to operate as both a traditional two-year community college, while retaining its technical trade programs. [7]
The main campus of J.F. Drake State consists of the following:
All of the original core buildings of the campus remain to this day and consist mostly of mid-century modern single level architecture. Many buildings have been heavily renovated to meet current technology needs, but some still contain their completely original fittings and layouts. The campus is landscaped and has been awarded Huntsville's Beautification Award on several occasions. [15]
Drake State operates under five divisions: Advanced Manufacturing Technologies; Applied Services Technologies; Business, Computer Science and Engineering Technologies; General and Developmental Education; and Health Sciences Technologies. [16]
A typical academic year is broken up into two 16-week terms during the fall (August–December) and spring (January–May). Within each full term are two accelerated sessions that last approximately seven weeks each. The full summer term is 10 weeks long (May–August). Within the term are two accelerated sessions that each last approximately five weeks. An academic year begins on the first day of the fall term and ends on the last day of the summer term. [17]
Drake State has an open admissions policy and accepts life experience as credits. [2] The college offers early entry and dual enrollment programs to local high school students. [18] [19] In addition to its associate and certificate degree programs, Drake State offers adult education/ GED courses. The college also offers a continuing education and adult skills training program as well as a training for existing business and industry program through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs Workforce Development division. [18] [20]
Drake State has transfer agreements with every public four-year institution in Alabama. The agreements allow students to automatically transfer after completing an associate degree at Drake State. [21]
As of fall 2020, Drake State's student body consists of 825 students. There are 31 percent full-time and 69 percent part-time students. [2]
Full and Part Time Students | U.S. Census [b] [22] | |
---|---|---|
International | 2% | N/A |
Multiracial American | 5% | 2.8% |
Black/African American | 62% | 13.4% |
American Indian and Alaska Native | 1% | 1.3% |
Asian | 1% | 5.9% |
Non-Hispanic White American | 23% | 60.1% |
Hispanic/Latino American | 5% | 18.5% |
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | 0% | 0.2% |
Other/Unknown | 2% | N/A |
Several student clubs and organizations operate at Drake State, including honors societies and student government, special interest and service organizations. [3]
Campus groups include: Cyber Security Club; Entrepreneurship Club; International Association of Administrative Professionals; Medical Assisting Technology Club; Phi Beta Lambda; Phi Theta Kappa; S.C. O’Neal, Sr. Library and Technology Center Book Club; SkillsUSA and Student Ambassador's Program. [23]
Drake State holds an annual "Mr. and Ms. Drake State" pageant to honor a select group of students who represent the school and embody the school's spirit. Drake State also holds an annual car show, sponsored by its automotive program. [3]