HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Wallace State Community College’s Student Services Division has transitioned to a virtual platform for students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virtual Student Services allows students to interact and directly connect to enrollment and other services committed to student success. These areas include Recruitment, Admissions, Financial Aid, Advising/Testing, Tutorial Lab and Special Populations, Student Engagement, TRIO-Student Support Services, TRIO-Talent Search, Student Conduct, and Title IX. Students are encouraged to communicate with Student Services employees through virtual online or phone meetings.
The Library, Success Coaches, Career Services, free Mental Health Counseling, and the Lions Kitchen Food Pantry are among the other wraparound services that continue to be offered even during the transition to remote services.
While most of these services are available during normal hours of operation, free online tutoring, and the myWallaceState student online portal, which includes registration, are available 24/7. The college’s police department continues to serve campus around the clock.
“One of our goals during this unprecedented time is to serve students in an excellent way,” said Dr. Ryan Smith, Wallace State’s dean of students. “The Student Services Division has made a smooth transition to a virtual setting. Our employees have offered Zoom, Google Voice and other methods to communicate with students directly. I appreciate all of employees and students who have made this transition as seamless as possible.”
Online registration for the 2020 summer semester at Wallace State is underway for all students. Summer semester classes begin Wednesday, May 20.
Wallace State’s Advising Office is available virtually to assist students with planning their schedules and enrolling for summer.
“We want our students to know we’re here for them,” said Whit Rice, Wallace State’s Interim Director of Advising, “and they have been engaged with us during this transition. We can help students with many things. We can get them registered and offer tips regarding online learning. We’ll discuss proper time management techniques, technology skills and even the importance of a clean workspace.”
Rice added that components of online advising began earlier this year to connect with students at the Oneonta campus.
Jennifer Hill, assistant dean of Enrollment Management, also commends Wallace State’s students for adapting to the transition to more virtual offerings.
“Our students have adjusted successfully and we’re proud of that. For some, completing all of the enrollment-related services online is more convenient and gives us options to consider in the future to better serve our students,” Hill said. “We’re excited to see our summer enrollment numbers up as well.”
The College will be prepared for summer semester to begin online, if needed, but hopes that at some point during the semester students will be able to return to campus. Commencement for the Class of 2020 has been rescheduled for July 31.
For a directory of all Virtual Student Services staff members, visit www.wallacestate.edu/virtual-student-services. Students who have an issue but are unsure which office to contact may email wallacecares@wallacestate.edu or Dean of Students Dr. Ryan Smith at ryan.smith@wallacestate.edu.
The www.wallacestate.edu/coronavirus webpage has links to additional information and resources available to students. This page is updated regularly with information about the college’s response to the Covid-19 crisis.
