Community Learning Center in Arley fully operational

ARLEY - This fall marks the first full season for the $1 million Winston County Community Learning Center through Wallace State Community College, offering a wide range of courses, designed to keep new opportunities close to home at the only college in Winston County.
Although the community learning center celebrated its grand opening a year ago, it is now celebrating its first fully operating semester, offering a slate of courses both on site at the center at 280 Helicon Road in Arley, as well as at other Wallace State locations outside of Winston County.
“This fall semester is really our first year that I would say we’re really fully operational,” emphasized Suzanne Harbin, vice-president for advancement and innovation at Wallace State.
The first year of operation was limited due to the lack of high-speed internet access for the center, according to State Representative Tim Wadsworth.
However, the high-speed internet installation for the center was completed around June this year, meaning the learning center is full speed ahead on class offerings this semester, Wallace State officials said. 
“We will add classes as the need arises,” Harbin said.
“The importance of this distance learning center is that in Winston County, 23 percent of the population does not have a high school degree,” Wadsworth pointed out.  “What we’re trying to do is improve the educational level, also teaching adult education to the point of citizens learning basic skills,” Wadsworth added.
“A lot of students may only need one class to finish high school,” Wadsworth continued. “The purpose of this (center) is to help them.”
“We want them to go to college, to get an education,” Harbin added, “whether it’s a career tech program, an academic program or a health program.  We want them to have options.”

Those interested in classes need to go online to wallacestate.edu or contact the center at workforce@wallacestate.edu or call (256) 352-7451. 
Those interested can find out which courses require a fee and which are offered free, Harbin said.
The center is open Monday-Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m.-2 p.m., and is currently staffed by two full-time, and one part-time staff member, Harbin stated.