For the first time, the Alabama Community College System hosted a systemwide Professional Development Day for the more than 1,600 faculty and staff members committed to improving the lives of our students each and every day. Ideas were shared and connections were made as the ACCS Family enjoyed a day of strategy to continue our Laser Focus on the student experience. Here's a snapshot of all that occurred on April 10. A sincere thanks to Alabama State University for allowing us to transform the Dunn-Oliver Acadome.

Who's up for a game of #golf? @NACCMustangs (Northeast Alabama Community College) Ambassador Kelsey Draper lets us in on strategy for the college's golf team. #StudentLife is fun and well at Alabama's community colleges! #ACCSuccess

Who knew you could fish at work? Calhoun's Bass Fishing Team puts skill to the test during competitive tournaments across the region. For more information, visit https://calhoun.edu/student-activities-clubs/bass-fishing-team/.

After dropping out of school at an early age, Mark Palanton found it hard to maintain steady work without a high school diploma.

After earning his GED through Trenholm State Community College's Adult Education program, Mark was awarded an apprenticeship opportunity with Larry Puckett Cheverolet in Prattville.

In exchange for his work, Larry Puckett will foot Mark's tuition bill at Trenholm State.

For more information on apprentice opportunities at Trenholm, https://www.trenholmstate.edu/workforce-development/

A new Alabama Power Lineman Training Field on Bishop State Community College's campus is one of the Alabama Community College System's latest partnerships for workforce development. Bishop State will train electrical utility linemen for Alabama Power. The agreement was signed Thursday, April 4, by Jeff Peoples, Senior VP of Employment Services at Alabama Power, Dr. Reginald Sykes, President of Bishop State, and Jimmy Baker, Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System. For more information, contact Bishop State Workforce Development Specialist A.J. Greggs at (251) 405-7082 and agreggs@bishop.edu.