Stillman College Nets $2.7M Grant For Upgrades To Geneva Hall

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Stillman College on Wednesday announced it has received a $2.7 million grant from the United States Economic Development Administration to develop a cybersecurity and information technology training center in Geneva Hall.

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First constructed in 1954, Geneva Hall will see the new state of the art training center located primarily on the second floor. The funds will also see the HVAC and electricity upgraded in the building, along with the addition of an elevator.

The college said in a press release that the planned technical training facility will be intended to support the school's existing cybersecurity program, while also working to meet employment needs in the local economy.

“We recognize that the small liberal arts college has to be a value to our local community and the State of Alabama,” Stillman College President Cynthia Warrick said. “Workforce development is key, so we’ve developed initiatives to enhance not just our campus and student population, but those underserved in the community.”

Stillman College says the grant will be matched with $100,000 in state funds and is expected to create 100 jobs, retain 100 jobs, and generate $1 million in private investment.

Warrick also said the cybersecurity and information technology training center will also serve as a training and development hub for the west Alabama community, providing citizens access to the center’s courses and resources to earn badges and certificates in IT, cloud computing, and other areas.

What's more, a goal of the center will be the establishment of a pipeline to area high schools, where Stillman has dual enrollment programs in cybersecurity and computer science with Birmingham City Schools and the Alabama Aerospace & Aviation High School in Bessemer.

Work on the renovations is expected to begin soon, although an exact timeline for the project has not been announced.

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