Calhoun Community College opens new Career Tech Center

Calhoun Community College recently opened the new Morgan County Schools Rural Development Park (RDP), a repurposed Career Tech High School designed to transform workforce development for students across Morgan County.

The Rural Development Park was created after the State of Alabama established a dedicated line item within the Alabama Education Trust Fund to support rural healthcare initiatives.

More on Morgan County Schools Rural Development Park

The formerly unused school building has now been fully renovated, with the redesigned one-story wing spanning nearly 25,000 square feet.

RDP currently serves 80 students, all of whom are dual-enrolled with Calhoun Community College. Admission requires meeting Calhoun’s entry standards, and students attend classes on-site for two periods in the morning or two periods after lunch. All instruction is delivered by Calhoun faculty who teach on campus daily.

RDP launched in Fall 2025 with a mission to redefine the high school experience and bridge the gap between education and career readiness. Students have the opportunity to graduate with both a high school diploma and an industry-recognized credential at no cost.

Current programs include:

• Physical Therapy Technician
• Emergency Medical Technician
• Medical Lab Assistant
• Certified Nursing Assistant
• Nursing Support Technician
• Pre-Nursing
• Sterile Processing Technician
• Aerospace Technician
• Machine Tool Technician

New programs set to launch in Fall 2026 include:

• Dental Assisting
• Licensed Practical Nurse
• Year 2 programs in:
  • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
  • Aerospace
  • Machining

All programs are available to juniors and seniors across Morgan County, with tuition fully covered through the partnership with Calhoun Community College.

“This model is powerful because students receive college-level instruction at an early stage from credentialed faculty who understand workforce expectations. They are gaining real career skills and earning industry-recognized credentials long before high school graduation, creating significant opportunities for both students and future employers.”

Wes Rakestraw, Calhoun Community College Vice President of Academic Affairs

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