Sparks Named New President of Wallace State FAME

HANCEVILLE, Ala. — Wallace State Community College is proud to announce that Kenneth Sparks with Mazda Toyota Manufacturing Company has been named President of its Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) chapter, strengthening the college’s continued partnership with regional industry and its commitment to developing highly skilled technicians for Alabama’s advanced manufacturing sector.

Sparks, the Human Resource Skills Staffing Specialist at Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, will work alongside Wallace State and its industry partners to support the continued growth of the FAME program, which follows an “earn while you learn” model that allows students to gain paid industry experience while completing their associate degree.

As president of the chapter, Sparks said he hopes to strengthen employee-partner relations and to have employers help a new generation of maintenance technicians.

“We have a really good chapter here already,” Sparks said. “The previous president has done a great job, so I’m really just trying to build on what he’s done and move forward and provide what the students need to be successful.”

The FAME program at Wallace State prepares students for careers in robotics, automation, advanced manufacturing, and industrial maintenance, combining rigorous classroom instruction with hands-on training provided by participating industry sponsors.

“As President of our FAME chapter, Kenneth will play an important role in strengthening the collaboration between industry and education,” said Jerry Murcks, Dean of Applied Technologies at Wallace State. “FAME represents one of the most effective workforce models in the country. Through this partnership, students graduate with both a degree and valuable real-world experience that prepares them to immediately contribute to the advanced manufacturing workforce.”

The FAME model is nationally recognized for its ability to develop highly skilled technicians while helping employers address critical workforce needs. Students attend class two days per week and work with their sponsoring employer three days per week, allowing them to apply what they learn in the classroom directly to industry settings.

Wallace State’s FAME program continues to expand through partnerships with leading manufacturing companies across North Alabama. The program is part of the college’s broader workforce initiative to develop apprenticeship and work-based learning opportunities that connect students directly to high-demand careers.

For more information about TITAN, contact Kaitlyn Michael-Ryan at 256.352.7874 or Kaitlyn.michaelryan@wallacestate.edu or visit www.ncalfame.com.

Priority registration for the summer and fall semesters will begin on April 6. Summer classes begin May 26 and fall classes begin Aug. 17. Visit www.wallacestate.edu for more information or call 256.352.8236 or email lioncentral@wallacestate.edu.

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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 workforce-credit training and adult education. An Achieving the Dream Leader College, nationally recognized by the Aspen Institute as a Rising Star for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, 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 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.