Wallace State Community College inducts over 80 into NSLS

Hanceville, AL — Wallace State Community College recently inducted more than 80 students into the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS). 

Vice President for Students, Kristen Holmes, opened the ceremony. "Our chapter of the NSLS was founded to help our members create the success they want by enabling them to engage in reflection and self-exploration,” she said. “The NSLS provides members with tools for action, inspiration to hold them accountable, and motivation to achieve their goals. To our inductees, after today’s ceremony, you are officially an inducted member of the NSLS.”

The ceremony continued with keynote speaker and Wallace State Recruiter, Logan Edmonds. He imparted advice on those before him. "I encourage you to seize your light and use it for the better," he said. "This means not just seeing the need for change but stepping up and changing the world. Each person follows the same winding road that we call life. On that road, there are bumps and throughout life, you will have a choice to either pass them by or stop, reach out, and lend a hand. A selfless leader will see the opportunity to help those in need; this is true success and is what being in NSLS is all about.”

NSLS Program Sponsor Karen Downs took a moment to honor the dedication and service of four esteemed Wallace State staff members. Downs recognized them with the Excellence in Service to Students Award. Among the honorees were Kristen Holmes, VP for Students and Chief Marketing Officer; Christy Hicks, Director of Campus Ministries; Brooke Quick, Academic/Career Advisor; and Dakota Nichols, Director of Student Engagement & Residential Life.

Jennifer Wickert, fourth semester Nursing student and IT Coordinator for the Wallace State Chapter of the NSLS, shared how NSLS has impacted her life, noting setbacks due to online nursing school formats that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as her transfer from a previous institution to Wallace State. Wickert attributes much of her success to the Wallace State NSLS chapter, stating, "NSLS came into my life and helped me learn how to set achievable goals,” she said. “The program has given me the opportunity to serve my campus in a way that accommodates my constantly changing schedule. I have been involved in many community service projects and have expanded my skills in IT, thanks to my NSLS membership.”

Despite facing adversity, Wickert passed her LPN boards to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. “That leads me to where I am today, a fourth semester nursing student on the road to my RN license,” Wickert said. “So, for me, success is not just about accomplishing the end goal, it is about facing the challenges in my path head on and not giving up. I encourage you to do the same. As one of the quotes on the NSLS site states, “Success is not built on success. It’s built on failure. It’s built on frustration. Sometimes it’s built on catastrophe."

The following students were inducted into the Wallace State Chapter of the NSLS:

Altoona: Alexis Brody

Arab: Adam Holmes, Katrina Potter, Mackenzie Tankersley, Brooke Tyler

Birmingham: Jaleigh Frazier, Liam Meaden, Cyrenthia Sanders-Linton, Tunya Scott, Tayla Sims, Candace Williams, Salea Williams

Boaz: Ester Jose

Center Point: Monisha Williams

Cleveland: Jenna Adams, Mya Baird, Sarah McGrady, Atyah Jones

Crossville: Michelle Castellon

Cullman: Madea Easterwood, Crystal Eubanks, Guillermo Gonzalez, Ashley Gonzalez Zea, Haylee Hernandez, LilyBeth Jean, Isabella King, Sabrina "Jake" Myers, RaShawna O'Neil, Kali Orear, Ellanora Slusser, Raegan Stephens, Jon Trammell, Cadan Welch

Danville: Victoria Patterson

Decatur: Yoselin Soto

Dora: Luke Kelly

Empire: Analissa Warren

Eva: Chaden Hill

Falkville: Audrey Anderson, Patience Hand, Kaileigh Hart, Ethan Monfort

Forestdale: Brittany Hall

Gardendale: Addison Dunagan, Ellena Hicks

Hanceville: Marianne Hall, John McDonald, Rodney Spruill, Adalyn Stewart

Hartselle: Monica Akers, Corey Naylor, Hallie Watson

Hayden: Alexis Bland, Gavin Graham, Lauren Holliman, Anna Jones, Riley Simpson

Henagar: Kylie Roden

Holly Pond: Raven Dukes, Mackenzie Gaskins, Olivia Price

Hoover: Amelia Dutton

Huntsville: Haddy Sanneh, Jessica Seckin, Caroline Worley

Jasper: Stacey Stevenson

Locust Fork: Kaylynn Tawbush

Madison: Bianca McGee

Mobile: Kaleigh McGee

Morris: Emily Grace Roper

Mount Olive: Reagan Lyles, Kaylee Ragsdale

Oneonta: Gabriela Hernandez Garcia, Linda Luna, Diana Nunez Avila

Pinson: Jazzlynn Carrington, Nora Claire Rosner

Pleasant Grove: Janiyah Bodley

Remlap: Emily Delgado Duarte

Somerville: Christina Alexander, Abby Daniels, Lana James

Trafford: Chelsea Page, Sydnie Richey

Trinity: Felicia Terry

Vinemont: Candance Freeman, Lindsey Slaton

Warrior: Victoria Smith

The NSLS is an organization that provides a leadership program that helps students achieve personal growth, career success, and empowers them to have a positive impact in their communities. NSLS initiation is by invitation. Karen Downs, 256.352.7886, karen.downs@wallacestate.edu is the NSLS sponsor. 

Priority registration for the Summer and Fall semesters is underway. Summer classes begin May 22 and fall classes begin Aug. 19. For more information visit www.wallacestate.edu, call Lion Central at 256.352.8236 or come by the Hanceville or Oneonta campus centers. Students may schedule advising sessions with the Center of Student Success at www.wallacestate.edu/advising.

Excellence in Service to Students Awards were presented to Christy Hicks, Director of Campus Ministries; Kristen Holmes, VP for Students and Chief Marketing Officer; Brooke Quick, Academic/Career Advisor; and Dakota Nichols, Director of Student Engagement & Residential Life.

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About Wallace State

Wallace State Community College (Ala.), a member of the Alabama Community College System, is a comprehensive community college in north central Alabama offering more than 200 options in academic, health and technical programs of study leading to an associate degree, certificate or transfer, as well as non-credit training and adult education. An Achieving the Dream Leader College, nationally-recognized by the Aspen Institute among the top 10 percent of institutions according to student outcomes, ranked by Southern Business and Development among the Top 3 institutions in the South for workforce development, named a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing Center and the National Security Administration, rated the Top Online Community College in Alabama, a Military Friendly Institution and an All-Steinway School, Wallace State is an outstanding place for students to pursue their education and career goals. Classes are offered online and on campus, day, evening and on weekends, with numerous start dates each year. Visit Wallace State’s beautiful main campus located on 300-acres in Hanceville, Ala., our satellite location in downtown Oneonta, Ala., find us online at www.wallacestate.edu, or call 256.352.8000