Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) is a public community college strategically located near Rainsville, Alabama, on the Jackson-DeKalb County line. The college began classes in September 1965 with 380 freshmen. The Fall 2022 semester saw 2,590 students enrolled in credit courses. The institution’s third president, Dr. David Campbell, was appointed in July 2001.
The college mission – “to provide accessible quality educational opportunities, promote economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for the people of Alabama” – is consistent with that of the Alabama Community College System. Offerings include general education transfer courses, career and technical education, customized business and industry training, workforce development, and adult education. NACC offers the Associate in Art, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science degrees as well as certificate programs.
The campus currently consists of 18 buildings situated on 117 acres. The newest facility is the Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Technology Center, which opened for classes in Summer 2014. The Center includes space for classrooms, laboratories, and faculty offices. In addition to the main campus, NACC offers a Salon and Spa Management Program at the NACC Salon Institute in Scottsboro.
In Fall 2022, the College offered dual enrollment/dual credit classes at 18 area high schools, including courses at the DeKalb County Technology Center, the Ernest Pruett Center of Technology, and the Marshall County Technical Center.
NACC has a strong academic transfer program. Alabama Transfers coordinates transfer among two- and four-year public colleges and universities in Alabama. Alabama Transfers enhances advising to ensure a successful transfer experience for students. NACC transfer students consistently achieve success at their transfer institutions. Approximately 60% of degree students are enrolled in transfer programs.
The Workforce Development Division is well respected in the business and industry community and across the state. Local companies have partnered with NACC to help provide for their workforce needs and to develop existing talent. The college offers Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees, certificates, and short-term certificates in a variety of disciplines, including healthcare, manufacturing, industrial, service industry, and business-related.
The Skills Training Division and Northeast Alabama Workforce Solutions work with the Alabama Technology Network (ATN) Center on campus to provide education, training, workshops, and customized on-site technical assistance and problem solving for area businesses and industry. ATN is a cooperative program of the Alabama Community College System, the University of Alabama System, Auburn University, and the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama.
The Northeast Alabama Adult Education Program is operated, managed, and headquartered at NACC and provides training at locations throughout DeKalb, Jackson, and Marshall Counties. Academic instruction from basic skills to college-level coursework is provided at no charge to anyone age 17 or older and not enrolled in a K-12 school. Areas of instruction include reading, writing, math, social studies, science, GED, Accuplacer, ACT prep, college brush-up, and English as a Second Language.
Campus and community life are enhanced by a variety of cultural activities, including the widely acclaimed theatre program, playing to approximately 15,000 patrons each season; the Latino Festival; Music on the Mountain; the Arts & Humanities Speaker’s Forum; and a partnership with the Alabama Ballet. The NACC Health Lecture Series provides valuable health-related information to both the NACC community and the public at large. An inviting walking and nature trail, open to the public, encircles a four-acre lake on the north end of campus and includes an outdoor classroom and picnic area. Wireless internet service is available throughout the entire campus, with access available to the public, and the Learning Resources Center provides community library services.