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Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama Welcomes Dr. Farrah Hayes as Executive Director

Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama Names Executive Director

Gadsden, AL – The Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama has announced the appointment of Dr. Farrah Hayes as its Executive Director, effective January 1, 2025. With over 20 years of combined experience in K-12 classrooms and higher education, Dr. Hayes is set to lead the Center in its mission to provide engaging and innovative STEM education programs to students in Northeast Alabama.

As Executive Director, Dr. Hayes will oversee the planning, operations, and management of the Challenger Learning Center. She will work closely with the Advisory Council to secure funding, expand public awareness of the Center’s mission, and strengthen partnerships with educational and community stakeholders. Her leadership will focus on developing immersive learning experiences that align with Alabama’s educational standards and reflect current trends in STEM education.

Dr. Hayes brings a wealth of expertise to her new role. She most recently served as the Dean of Academic Programs and Services at Gadsden State Community College, where she implemented initiatives to enhance academic programs, improve student services, and guide strategic planning. Joining Gadsden State in 2015 as an English instructor, she later directed the Cardinal Tutoring Centers and became Division Chair of Languages and Humanities in 2019. Before her tenure in higher education, Dr. Hayes taught English and Spanish in Etowah County and Piedmont City Schools.

Dr. Hayes holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Spanish, a Master of Science in Education of English Language Arts, and an educational specialist designation from Jacksonville State University. She earned her doctoral degree in Developmental Education Administration from Sam Houston State University in 2021. Her accolades include the Chancellor’s Award for Academic and Technical Faculty, New Development Educator of the Year from the Alabama Association for Developmental Education, and Piedmont High School Teacher of the Year. She is also a graduate of Leadership Etowah and an active member of the Gadsden Rotary Club.

Dr. Hayes resides in Gadsden, Alabama, with her husband, attorney Justin D. Hayes.

The Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama is part of a global network of more than 30 Challenger Learning Centers that have reached over 6 million students worldwide. The Center will serve students in Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, DeKalb, Etowah, Marshall, Randolph, St. Clair, Talladega, and Jefferson counties, offering hands-on STEM programs, including simulated space missions in immersive, space-themed environments.

The addition of Dr. Hayes is expected to propel the Center’s vision forward, fostering educational opportunities that inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and innovation in the region’s students.

For more information on the Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama and its programs, stay tuned for updates as the Center continues its development.

Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama Names Executive Director

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