
J.F. Ingram State Technical College joined the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles (ABPP) on Friday, Oct. 2, to celebrate the graduates’ accomplishments and the work they put into preparing for their next chapter.
Through ISTC’s partnership with ABPP, participants receive education and hands-on workforce training that help prepare them for employment. This cohort earned credentials in workplace safety, flooring, logistics, food service and heavy equipment operation. Two participants also earned Class A commercial driver’s licenses! 🚛
📚 We’re especially proud of Participants David and Devan, who completed their GEDs during their time at PREP. Reentry Director Kelly Emfinger served as the graduation speaker, and Toby Killcreas helped recognize these two graduates.
The skills and credentials earned at PREP give graduates more tools to pursue employment, support their families and build stable futures.
Join us in congratulating all 45 graduates on this milestone! 👏
#IngramState #ABPP #PREPCenter #StudentSuccess #WorkforceDevelopment #Reentry




Congratulations to Delicia Anderson on receiving her five-year service pin from J.F. Ingram State Technical College!
As an adult education instructor, Ms. Anderson brings a fun, uplifting personality and genuine enthusiasm into the classroom. Her energy helps participants rebuild their confidence, rediscover the joy of learning and recognize that it is never too late to achieve an educational goal.
While serving through the Thomasville Day Reporting Center, Ms. Anderson primarily assists participants at the Perry County PREP Center. There, she helps individuals prepare for and earn a GED before returning to their communities. This achievement can open doors to employment, career training and continued education while providing a stronger foundation for successful reentry.
Ms. Anderson’s impact extends far beyond helping someone pass a test. She helps participants see new possibilities for themselves and take an important step toward a more stable future.
Thank you, Ms. Anderson, for five years of service and for bringing encouragement, joy and purpose to learning!

Dr. Calloway, Job Placement Coordinator at J.F. Ingram State Technical College (ISTC), served as the commencement speaker at today’s graduation ceremony, recognizing the graduates’ hard work and encouraging them as they take their next steps.
Through our partnership with the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles (ABPP), individuals who report to ABPP Day Reporting Centers are eligible for short-term skills training and adult education services through ISTC. Our job placement team also helps connect individuals with employers so they can put their training to work.
We are proud to partner with ABPP to help individuals gain skills, find employment and build a stronger future for themselves and their families. 💙
#IngramState #ISTC #ABPP #WorkforceDevelopment #AdultEducation #ReentrySuccess


Ingram State Technical College is proud to celebrate Angelica for earning her Alabama High School Diploma through the High School Diploma Option (HSDO) Program!
Through HSDO, Alabama Adult Education provides eligible individuals with an alternative pathway to complete high school graduation requirements and earn a diploma issued by their former high school. For Angelica, that meant completing her journey and receiving her diploma from Demopolis High School.
This milestone represents hard work, determination and another step toward new opportunities in education, employment and beyond.
👏 Please join us in congratulating Angelica on this outstanding accomplishment!
#IngramState #ISTC #AdultEducation #StudentSuccess #HighSchoolDiploma #WorkforceReady #EducationChangesLives

They learned how to recognize workplace hazards and follow safe work practices. Their OSHA 10 cards are a valuable addition to their résumés as they continue their training and prepare for employment.
We’re proud of their hard work and grateful for our partnership with the Alabama Department of Corrections, which helps make these opportunities possible.


Congratulations to Rodney Annis on receiving his first service pin in recognition of three years with J.F. Ingram State Technical College!
As an adult education instructor at the Alabama Therapeutic Education Facility, Mr. Annis helps students strengthen their academic foundation and move closer to earning a high school diploma or GED. His instruction also prepares students to enter career training, pursue additional education and approach reentry with greater confidence.
Adult education is especially important in a correctional setting because it creates a foundation upon which students can build new skills and new opportunities. Research cited by the U.S. Department of Justice found that individuals who participate in correctional education have 43% lower odds of returning to prison than those who do not—demonstrating how education can strengthen individuals, families and communities.
Thank you, Mr. Annis, for your dedication and for helping students take meaningful steps toward a more successful future!

Congratulations to Obie Killcreas on receiving his first service pin in recognition of three years with J.F. Ingram State Technical College!
As director of Student Services, Mr. Killcreas brings a thoughtful, data-driven approach to strengthening enrollment and expanding access to educational opportunities. Building on a career working with registration data, he closely examines enrollment trends, identifies opportunities for growth and develops strategic recruitment efforts to help Ingram State reach more students.
Student Services is a critical part of the college, helping connect students with programs that can change the direction of their lives and supporting them from recruitment and enrollment through completion. Mr. Killcreas leads this work with purpose, using data not simply to measure where we are, but to help determine where we can go next.
Thank you, Mr. Killcreas, for your leadership, strategic vision and commitment to the ISTC mission!

Congratulations to Gregg Smith on receiving his five-year service pin from J.F. Ingram State Technical College!
As an electrical technology instructor at the St. Clair Instructional Service Center, Mr. Smith brings a positive attitude to the classroom and remains focused on preparing his students for what comes next. His forward-thinking approach encourages them to see beyond their current circumstances and recognize the opportunities their skills can create.
A strong foundation in electrical systems, safety and troubleshooting is valuable across the construction industry, where workers must understand how different building systems function together. These skills can also open the door to a growing career field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for electricians to grow 9% through 2035, with approximately 72,700 openings expected each year.
Thank you, Mr. Smith, for five years of service and for helping your students build the skills and confidence needed to move forward.

Congratulations to Eddie Lucas on receiving his 10-year service pin from J.F. Ingram State Technical College!
As a carpentry instructor at ISTC’s Main Campus, Mr. Lucas has helped students create pieces that will leave a lasting mark across Alabama. Their craftsmanship can be seen in furnishings created for the Alabama State House, a custom table for Lee County and other distinguished pieces displayed throughout state government offices.
Mr. Lucas takes tremendous pride in his craft and teaches his students to approach each project with the same care, precision and commitment to quality. These lessons prepare them for a trade that continues to offer meaningful career opportunities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an average of 62,800 openings for carpenters and 18,100 openings for woodworkers each year through 2035.
Thank you, Mr. Lucas, for a decade of service and for teaching students to take pride in building something that lasts.

Congratulations to Benjamin Freeman on receiving his first service pin in recognition of three years of service to J.F. Ingram State Technical College!
As an industrial maintenance instructor at the Ventress Instructional Service Center, Mr. Freeman prepares students with the hands-on technical skills needed to maintain, troubleshoot and repair industrial equipment. With demand for skilled industrial maintenance professionals continuing to grow, his work helps connect students to valuable career opportunities while supporting Alabama’s workforce needs.
Thank you, Mr. Freeman, for your commitment to our students and the ISTC mission!

Through the Partners for Reentry Opportunities in Workforce Development (PROWD) Grant, their efforts have helped participants achieve:
• 30+ ACE-MAP completions
• 25+ OSHA-10 certifications
• 25+ forklift certifications
• 20+ CDL-A licenses
These accomplishments represent more than credentials—they represent new skills, greater employment opportunities and pathways toward self-sufficiency.
We are proud of Dr. Phillips and Dr. Booker for their dedication to transforming lives through education, workforce training and meaningful community partnerships.
#IngramState #WorkforceDevelopment #SuccessfulReentry #CareerTraining #CommunityPartnerships

Through this interactive experience, participants encountered many of the barriers individuals may face when returning to society after incarceration, including finding employment and housing, securing transportation, managing finances and meeting reentry requirements.
For Ingram State, understanding these challenges is essential. It helps our employees better recognize the needs of our students and strengthens our ability to provide education, workforce training and support that prepare them for employment and successful reentry.
Following the simulation, participants toured ISTC’s Main Campus and learned more about the programs and services that support our students as they prepare for their next chapter.
We appreciate UAB for bringing this meaningful experience to Ingram State and thank everyone who participated.




Ms. Willoughby’s passion for correctional education extends beyond the classroom. Through her leadership and advocacy, she encourages others to join a nationwide network committed to expanding educational opportunities and transforming lives.
We are proud to celebrate her dedication to strengthening the field of correctional education!
#CorrectionalEducation #EducationChangesLives #ISTCProud

Partnerships like this help give our students the tools they need to build successful futures!
Earlier this week, J.F. Ingram State Technical College joined Mid-South RC&D officials and other grant recipients for a recognition ceremony celebrating the impact of grant-funded projects across Elmore County.
Through more than $12,000 in funding from Mid-South RC&D, Ingram State purchased Snap-on tools and equipment for the Plumbing program at Draper Instructional Service Center. The new equipment enhances hands-on instruction and helps students develop the skills needed to enter the workforce prepared for success.
We are grateful to Mid-South RC&D for investing in our students, our programs and the future of Alabama’s workforce.



Sessions focused on the correctional environment, student engagement, workforce development, institutional growth and strengthening the partnerships that support our students and mission.
We sincerely thank each presenter, panelist and partner who shared their time, knowledge and experience. We also appreciate the employees who worked behind the scenes to plan, coordinate and make the institute a success.
We left with a renewed sense of purpose and a shared message: every employee is essential, every role matters and the work of Ingram State changes lives.
#IngramState #FallInstitute2026 #CorrectionalEducation #WorkforceDevelopment










As the welding instructor at Fountain, Scott has spent a decade helping students develop the skills, discipline and attention to detail required to succeed in the welding industry. His hands-on instruction allows students to strengthen their technical abilities while learning the importance of safety, quality workmanship and professionalism.
Scott’s work equips students with valuable skills that can lead to meaningful employment and greater opportunities for their futures.
We are grateful for his dedication to our students and his 10 years of service to Ingram State.
#IngramState #EmployeeRecognition #Welding #SkilledTrades #CareerTechnicalEducation

As the barbering instructor at Fountain, Wayne has created a learning environment that closely mirrors a professional barbershop. Students gain hands-on experience while learning the technical skills, customer service, professionalism and daily operations needed to succeed in the industry.
Wayne’s approach prepares students to enter the workforce with confidence, build successful careers and pursue opportunities as entrepreneurs and business owners.
We are grateful for Wayne’s dedication to his students and his 15 years of service to Ingram State.
#IngramState #EmployeeRecognition #Barbering #CareerTechnicalEducation #SecondChances

Kelly leads ISTC’s Reentry Division and has played an important role in expanding the College’s efforts to prepare students for successful transitions into the workforce and their communities. He is a true investor in second chances—giving his time, energy and support to help individuals recognize their potential and build better futures.
We are grateful for Kelly’s leadership, compassion and three years of dedicated service to Ingram State and our students.
#IngramState #EmployeeRecognition #SecondChances #Reentry #ChangingLives

ISTC Reentry Team members JaCorey Calloway and Jade Gantt recently represented Ingram State at Congresswoman Terri Sewell’s 15th Annual Job Fair in Selma this week.
Job fairs provide valuable opportunities for our Reentry Team to connect directly with employers, better understand workforce needs and identify potential career pathways for ISTC students and graduates. Building these relationships strengthens our ability to help justice-involved individuals successfully transition into the workforce and secure meaningful employment.
Thank you, JaCorey and Jade, for continuing to expand opportunities for those we serve!

🔧 Celebrating Student Success in the Skilled Trades!
J.F. Ingram State Technical College proudly celebrates plumbing student Johnny for successfully passing the Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board Journeyman Examination in June 2026.
Johnny received his official certificate and earned the distinguished designation of Journeyman Plumber—an industry-recognized credential that reflects his technical expertise, dedication and commitment to excellence.
Meeting the rigorous standards required for this credential prepares Johnny for expanded career opportunities and continued advancement in the plumbing profession.
Congratulations, Johnny, on this exceptional achievement! Your success demonstrates the value of workforce education and the opportunities created through professional credentialing.
