Drake State Community & Technical College

Oneisha Clayborn is finishing her Associate of Applied Science degree in Salon and Spa Management at Drake State Community and Technical College. She is also an E3 in the Army Reserves, a mother, and a future physician.

Victoria (Tori) Smith has been doing her friend’s hair since the eighth grade. Now she is turning that talent into a specialty and a credential!

These are the students in our Salon and Spa Management program. If you have the drive, we have the program!

Enrollment is open. www.drakestate.edu

The Drake State Foundation is committed to supporting student success through scholarships, partnerships, and signature events like our annual Jazz in the City fundraiser.

Thanks to last year’s support, we were able to award Gap scholarships to 28 students, helping them stay on track toward their goals. With your continued support, we can make an even greater impact this year!

Today, Drake State had the privilege of welcoming Leidos Executives to the Leidos Advanced Training Complex for an inside look at the impact of their investment in workforce development. During the visit, our deans, faculty, and students shared firsthand how this revolutionary facility is shaping their educational journeys and preparing them for in-demand careers. We are incredibly grateful for Leidos’ continued partnership and the significant difference they are making in the lives of our students.

Jazz in the City 2026—presented by Wells Fargo and Mazda-Toyota Manufacturing—is less than a month away!

We’re excited to celebrate this unforgettable evening as part of Drake State’s 65th Anniversary—honoring decades of workforce development, student success, and community impact across Alabama.

Join us on Friday, June 19, at Mars Music Hall in the Von Braun Center for an elevated indoor experience you won’t forget.

Enjoy an incredible lineup of talent, including AJ Ghent and His Singing Guitar, Nina Marie Live, and Ryon Schultz. It’s a night filled with energy, elegance, and outstanding entertainment you don’t want to miss.
Secure your tickets today and celebrate with us!

Purchase tickets here: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/2000644C88C82E59

We are so proud of our Dual Enrollment students! Thank you for being our partners in student success Mae Jemison High School!

This Memorial Day, we honor the heroes who gave their lives in service to our country. At Drake State, we remember their sacrifice and stand with our students, faculty, and community members who have served and continue to serve.

🎷Jazz in the City 2026 is less than a month away!🎷

We’re excited to celebrate this unforgettable evening as part of Drake State’s 65th Anniversary—honoring decades of workforce development, student success, and community impact across Alabama.

Join us on Friday, June 19, at Mars Music Hall in the Von Braun Center for an elevated indoor experience you won’t forget.

Enjoy an incredible lineup of talent, including AJ Ghent and His Singing Guitar, Nina Marie Live, and Ryon Schultz. It’s a night filled with energy, elegance, and outstanding entertainment you don’t want to miss.

Secure your tickets today and celebrate with us!

Today we proudly celebrated our FAME Signing Day as 11 outstanding students took the next step toward their futures, committing to the two-year Advanced Manufacturing Technician program.

In partnership with Mazda-Toyota Manufacturing, Toyota Alabama, Brown Precision, Bruderer, and Blue Origin, these students will earn while they learn—gaining hands-on experience in robotics, automation, and more. The future of advanced manufacturing is bright, and it starts right here!

Development

We are so proud of Drake State Community & Technical College President Dr. Patricia Gordon Sims, featured in Event Huntsville Magazine's Women in Business issue!

https://eventhuntsville.com/women-in-business/dr-patricia-sims/

Dr. Sims brings vision and heart to everything she does for our students, our campus, and our community.

This recognition is well deserved and a reflection of the standard she sets for all of us every day.

Congratulations, Dr. Sims!

Dr. Patricia Sims - EVENT Magazine Dr. Patricia Sims President Drake State Community and Technical Dr. Patricia Sims is the president of Drake State Community and Technical College. She leads the college with a spirit of excellence and a commitment to student success. Her prior experience as an educator, administrator, advocate, and....