The Alabama STEM Council extends its deepest gratitude to Dr. Vicki Karolewics for her invaluable service and steadfast commitment to advancing STEM education across our state.
As President of Wallace State Community College since 2003, Dr. Karolewics has consistently demonstrated what visionary leadership can accomplish. Her focus on student success, particularly for those facing barriers created by poverty, has shaped Wallace State into one of the most highly regarded community colleges in the nation. Under her leadership, the college has earned multiple prestigious recognitions, including being named a 2025 Aspen Prize Finalist and an Achieving the Dream Leader College. Wallace State was also one of just 30 institutions selected for the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Pathways Project; again affirming Dr. Karolewics’s commitment to innovative, student-centered education.
Dr. Karolewics’s journey is a testament to the power of education. She has spent her career advocating for students who, like herself, are seeking new opportunities through learning. Her personal and professional stories are deeply interwoven with the mission of expanding access, increasing readiness, and ensuring student achievement in every corner of Alabama.
Appointed by Governor Kay Ivey, Dr. Karolewics brought this same spirit of equity and excellence to the Alabama STEM Council. Her contributions to the Council were marked by clarity of purpose, a strong belief in cross-sector collaboration, and a deep understanding of the role community colleges play in preparing Alabama’s future workforce. Her service also extends beyond the Council. Dr. Karolewics chaired the Alabama Community College System’s College Readiness Task Force and served on the Board and Executive Committee of the American Association of Community Colleges, where she has continually elevated the voice of Alabama on the national stage.
Dr. Karolewics holds a diploma from Reid State Technical College, an A.S. from Patrick Henry State Junior College, a B.S. from Troy State University in Montgomery, and both an M.Ed. and Ph.D from Auburn University. Her academic journey mirrors the aspirations of countless students she now leads, making her story not only inspiring, but relatable to the very people she champions.
We thank Dr. Karolewics for her dedication, insight, and leadership. Her impact on the Alabama STEM Council, and on education across our state, will be felt for years to come.
