Ms. Shirley A. Colvin

Assistant Dean of Instruction - Science 
Biology Instructor

Ms. Shirley A. Colvin began her postsecondary studies at The University of Montevallo in 1975, pursuing a major in Medical Technology. In 1977, she transferred to Alabama A&M where she was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology, Chemistry minor (1980) and Master of Science in Biology, with Honors (1982). During her years of study at Alabama A&M, she worked as a Research Assistant. It was during these years that Ms. Colvin realized the value of education and developed her philosophy and belief that education can change lives. Ms. Colvin has also taken graduate courses at Jacksonville State University (2006) and The University of Nebraska (2007).

Ms. Colvin was employed as a Supervisor (GS-09) at Noble Army Community Hospital, Fort McClellan, Alabama for approximately thirteen years. To this day, she credits this employment experience with teaching her the importance of professionalism, confidentiality, documentation, and following the chain of command; all qualities she utilizes as an effective administrator.

Ms. Colvin began assisting others in changing their lives through education when she taught as an adjunct Biology Instructor at Jacksonville State University from 1988-1993 and at Gadsden State Community College from 1991-1996, all while maintaining her full-time position at the hospital. In 1996, a position for a full-time Biology Instructor became available at Gadsden State Community College to which she applied, was offered the position and accepted.  Since that time, Ms. Colvin has dedicated her life to improving the lives of her students through the art of teaching. Realizing an administrative position would not prevent her from teaching and impacting the lives of her students, Ms. Colvin, accepted and served as Assistant Chairperson and later, Chairperson of the Science Division from 2002-2007. This included all natural science courses on all campus sites, as well as, the Aquaculture Center at Gadsden State. In 2008, she was named Assistant Dean of Instruction for the Science Division.