Vicki Karolewics

As President of Wallace State Community College, Dr. Vicki Karolewics's priorities are laser focused on student success and removing barriers that poverty presents to Wallace State students and the surrounding communities.

A proud product of the Alabama Community College System herself, Dr. Karolewics is one of community college's greatest advocates. As a first-generation high school graduate, she serves as an example of how opening the door to education can change a life.

As president of Wallace State Community College in rural Hanceville, Alabama since 2003, Dr. Karolewics has led its transformation into one of the top community colleges in the nation, recognized by the Aspen Institute as a Finalist for the 2025 Aspen Prize, an elite designation of the 10 leading community colleges in the nation in Student Success. Under her leadership, Wallace State has also been recognized as an Achieving the Dream Leader College and was selected as one of 30 colleges in the nation for the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Pathways Project.

Dr. Karolewics has served two terms on the American Association of Community Colleges Board of Directors and Executive Committee, was appointed by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey to the Alabama STEM Council, and she has chaired the Alabama Community College System’s College Readiness Task Force, among many other college and community service roles.

Dr. Karolewics earned 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 a M.Ed., Ed.D from Auburn University.