Shelton State Community College unites with the Saban Center to revolutionize STEM and the arts education in Alabama
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (June 18, 2024) – The Saban Center, a state-of-the-art education campus seamlessly blending STEM and the arts, has proudly announced a vital partnership with Shelton State Community College (SSCC) to enhance and promote STEM and arts education across Alabama.
This pivotal alliance with SSCC perfectly aligns with the Saban Center’s vision of creating an engaging environment merging excitement, discovery and education for people of all ages. SSCC will collaborate with the Saban Center to develop innovative programming and enrichment initiatives for all campus patrons. This partnership aims to drive progress in West Alabama communities and ensure widespread awareness of the abundant opportunities available at Shelton State, both locally in Tuscaloosa and across the state.
Dr. Jonathan Koh, SSCC president, highlighted the synergy between the two organizations, stating, “We are thrilled to have an opportunity to impact lives in our community beginning at a young age. The collaboration and partnerships within our community these days are very strong, and projects such as this allow us to build on that strong foundation in a way that maximizes our impact on those who live, work and play in Tuscaloosa and the surrounding communities.”
SSCC will play a significant role in the Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre and Ignite – the revitalized Children’s Hands-On Museum of Tuscaloosa. Designated as The Community College of the Fine Arts by the Alabama Legislature, SSCC’s longstanding partnership with Theatre Tuscaloosa offers additional opportunities for children’s theater actors and camps, alongside college and career pathways in the theatrical arts.
Furthermore, SSCC’s prominence as the premier training entity for West Alabama’s industrial sectors – automotive, manufacturing, construction, health care and more – positions it uniquely to create relevant programming for exhibits related to STEM and career technologies. This includes robotics, computer programming and networking, electronics, welding, truck driving, health care, child care, and numerous other subjects pertinent to the West Alabama region.
Audrey Buck, director of the Saban Center, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, “It is an honor to collaborate with Shelton State Community College and align our mission with their extensive expertise and resources. Their commitment to education is vital in shaping the future of STEM education in West Alabama and will greatly influence our approach to integrating the arts and sciences.”