Cheaha Center renovations include co-location of the One Stop Center and Anniston Career Center

ANNISTON, AL – Gadsden State Community College’s Ayers Campus has completed a renovation to the Cheaha Center, which originally housed the Alabama Department of Labor’s Anniston Career Center. The renovated facility now includes the new Gadsden State One Stop Center in addition to the Anniston Career Center.
 
“The renovation brings significant upgrades to the center’s functionality and aesthetic, benefiting both students and community members who rely on the services offered at the facility,” said Pam Johnson, Gadsden State’s dean of Institutional Effectiveness and acting director of the Ayers Campus.
 
The One Stop Center, a key student services hub, and the Anniston Career Center, which provides a wide range of employment-related resources, have undergone cosmetic upgrades to enhance the experience for students, clients and visitors. The renovations include new luxury vinyl flooring, updated paint and the addition of modern furniture and a new computer corral in the One Stop Center. In addition, walls were added to separate the two centers, allowing for better organization and more efficient use of space.
 
"The renovations to the Cheaha Center are a true asset for our students and community members," Johnson said. "When you walk in the door, all services are within view of the student. It’s a bonus that it’s in an instructional building that’s so accessible to so many students. This project helps us better serve our community while fostering a welcoming and efficient environment for those who rely on student services."
 
The One Stop Center now includes a new storage area and designated spaces for several important services that have moved from the original Ayers Campus Administration Building. Relocated services include:

• Advising and Retention Center
• Dual Enrollment
• Admissions and Records
• Financial Aid
• Enrollment Services
• Technical Advisement
• Educational Opportunity Center
• The Business Office

Additionally, office space has been included for the Gadsden State Police and Public Safety Department as well as for college leaders visiting the Ayers Campus.
 
“These changes make the One Stop Center a centralized location where students can easily access multiple services in one location, streamlining the process for students as they pursue their education,” said Andy Green, dean of Student Services.
 
The Anniston Career Center, which provides services from a variety of state departments, such as the Alabama Department of Labor, Department of Commerce, Department of Rehabilitation Services, and the Alabama Community College System, also benefits from the renovations. The center offers enhanced services, including job placement assistance, job fairs, career evaluations and access to work-based learning, internships, apprenticeships and youth programs. The Anniston Career Center serves Calhoun and Cleburne counties and has been a vital community resource on the Ayers Campus for 22 years.
 
“We are excited about the new space and new opportunities for collaboration between the One Stop Center and the Anniston Career Center,” said Shari Vickers, the regional manager for the DOL’s Area 2. “We have six specialists who assist job seekers with registration, job searches, career evaluations, resume building, interview skills, soft skills workshops, adult education and GED prep referrals and veteran services. Our job is to support the local workforce and help people improve their skills and employment prospects.”
 
Employers also benefit from the updated space as they continue to be able to list job orders, host online job fairs, conduct interviews and recruitment activities and receive valuable information about federal bonding, labor market statistics, and tax credits.
 
“The renovation will also help ensure the Career Center is better able to assist individuals transitioning into the workforce, whether through job training, skills development or career services,” said Katrina Herring, manager of the Anniston Career Center.
 
Vickers said the co-location with the One Stop Center is a game changer.
 
“By being located so close to student services, we can maintain closer contact with students as they prepare to enter the workforce with new or updated skills,” she said. “The Career Center continues to support individuals in their journey from education to employment, and these upgrades will help us do that even more effectively."
 
The Cheaha Center also includes an annex that was built in 2020. It houses instruction space for nursing and academic courses, serving a large number of students each year.
 
“The renovation to the original space creates a more unified and accessible environment, strengthening the overall functionality of the Cheaha Center,” Green said.
 
Remaining in the original administration building are offices for Institutional Effectiveness, Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search, Testing, and IT departments.
For more information about Gadsden State and the services and programs it offers, please visit www.gadsdenstate.edu.