Shelton State among first 2-year schools to join Thurgood Marshall College Fund

Shelton State Community College students now will have additional access to scholarships and opportunities for professional development.

The college in a news release announced that it has been accepted into the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

The nonprofit fund, named for Thurgood Marshall, the first Black justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, was established in 1997 and, according to its website, is “the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community.”

Its mission is to “ensure student success by promoting educational excellence and preparing the next generation of workforce talent through leadership development.” It has provided more than $300 million in scholarships and program support to its member schools.

Shelton State and five other Alabama community colleges — Bishop State in Mobile, Drake State in Huntsville, Lawson State in Birmingham, Gadsden State in Etowah County and Trenholm in Montgomery — are the first two-year schools in the U.S. to gain membership in the fund, according to the release.

“The Thurgood Marshall College Fund is widely known for its commitment to excellence in higher education and supporting students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” said Shelton State President Chris Cox in the news release. “Partnering with TMCF will provide our students with even more opportunities to receive crucial funding for their education and internship, leadership, and professional development opportunities. This collaboration assists us to further deliver on our mission to help people.”

Shelton State has a $248.1 million economic impact in Tuscaloosa and Bibb counties, according to the news release. Shelton State supports almost 4,000 jobs, one in every 33 jobs in Tuscaloosa and Bibb counties. Shelton State students added $7.2 million to the economy, and former students employed in the regional workforce added $204.1 million.

Shelton State is one of Alabama's largest community colleges with around 7,000 students at its two Tuscaloosa campuses. The community college offers over 30 associate degrees in technical and health services programs. Shelton State has been in Tuscaloosa for more than 70 years.

“Adding community colleges to our membership is part of an intentional move toward a more inclusive talent strategy,” said Harry L. Williams, president and CEO of the Marshall College Fund. He cited HBCCs’ work in workforce upskilling or reskilling; their ability to offer associate degrees, certificates and credentials that can move students into skilled, good-paying positions without a bachelor’s degree; and their ability to provide core academic credits for students seeking a bachelor’s degree.

According to a recent economic impact study commissioned by the Alabama Community College System, its 24 institutions add $6.6 billion to Alabama’s economy and support one out of every 27 jobs in the state.

“Alabama’s community colleges exist to be a pillar of community for students of all backgrounds to be able to have the resources to reach success, and these national relationships help bolster the advantages and access student have to significant opportunities that support their pursuit of excellences,” ACCS Chancellor Jimmie Baker said in the release. “The connections students and Alabama’s HBCC leaders will have through the Thurgood Marshall College Fund are bound to strengthen the avenues the colleges provide to residents who trust our colleges with the training they desire for their future.”

Tuscaloosa News editor Ken Roberts contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Shelton State becomes part of Thurgood Marshall College Fund