From: Clinton Bourgeois
Ingram State Technical College
The Alabama Community College System (ACCS) Board of Trustees approved Chancellor Jimmy H. Baker’s recommendation to appoint David Walters as permanent president of Ingram State Technical College (ISTC) during its monthly board meeting on Wednesday, May 13.
Walters, who has served as Ingram State’s interim president since November 2025, holds more than 30 years of experience in elementary, secondary and postsecondary education and possesses a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in adult and higher education from Morehead State University.
“I am deeply honored by the confidence placed in me by Chancellor Baker and the Board of Trustees,” Walters said. “Ingram State Technical College represents the power of education to transform lives, strengthen families and create generational change across Alabama. I look forward to continuing to work alongside our faculty, staff, agency partners and industry leaders as we expand opportunities for educational attainment, workforce readiness and successful reentry for the justice-involved population we serve.”
Prior to serving as Ingram State’s interim president, Walters spent more than a decade working with the ACCS in various roles, most recently as the ACCS Vice Chancellor of Adult Education and Correctional Education where his work focused on improving lives for adult learners, underserved populations and justice-involved individuals.
Alabama’s adult education programs expanded to more than 400 locations and programs under Walters’ tenure as vice chancellor. He was instrumental in the development of the Alabama Non-Traditional High School Diploma Option (HSDO), and initiatives like the Alabama Career Essentials (ACE); Mobilizing Alabama’s Pathways (MAPs); and the Activate Program – which prepares trainees for the Alabama Correctional Academy. Walters provided strategic leadership for the state’s Adult Education and Family Literacy Act initiatives under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
“David brings a deep understanding of both Alabama’s community college system and the transformative impact of correctional education,” said Jimmy Baker, ACCS Chancellor. “His combination of statewide leadership experience, commitment to correctional education, and demonstrated success leading Ingram State made him the clear choice to guide the college into its next chapter.
Located at Deatsville in Elmore County, Ingram State, the sole correctional educational provider in Alabama, is an accredited member of the ACCS and serves a 100 percent incarcerated adult population.
Ingram State recently recognized more than 600 graduates during spring commencement ceremonies across 17 career fields statewide. The certifications included industry credentials, GEDs and high school diplomas that will support the individuals’ transition back into their communities and the workforce.
Walters’ appointment is effective May 16, 2025.
