Lawson State Community College

Lawson State Community College stands as a cornerstone of education in Alabama, renowned as a Public Historically Black Community College (HBCU). With a rich legacy spanning decades, Lawson State has consistently provided accessible and high-quality technical and academic programs, shaping the futures of countless students and contributing significantly to the community's workforce and intellectual growth. It's a place where history meets opportunity, fostering an environment designed for student success.

The college's journey began with a clear purpose in 1949, when the Wenonah State Technical Institute was founded in Birmingham under the Wallace Patterson State Trade School Act. Its initial mission was to offer essential trade courses to Black students, a vital step in expanding educational access. This technical focus was complemented in 1965 with the establishment of Wenonah State Junior College, also dedicated to serving Black students with academic programs. Both institutions were guided by the visionary leadership of Dr. Theodore Alfred Lawson, whose profound impact led to the junior college being renamed in his honor.

The evolution continued in 1973 when these two pivotal institutions merged, creating T. A. Lawson State Community College at its current Birmingham Campus. Further expanding its reach and offerings, Lawson State underwent another significant merger in 2005 with Bessemer State Technical College. This strategic move not only eliminated duplicate programs statewide but also established a second vibrant campus in Bessemer, ensuring that more students across the region could access its diverse range of career-focused and transfer programs. Today, under the leadership of President Dr. Cynthia T. Anthony, Lawson State remains a dynamic institution committed to its founding principles and forward-thinking education.