Wallace Community College-Selma is looking to expand nursing programs after receiving a $3.25 million grant as a part of the Department of Labor’s Better Occupational Outcomes with Stimulation Training program.

Wallace Community College-Selma President James Mitchell said the school plans to spend some of the money on its Advanced Visualization Center, which allows students to put classroom learning into practice.

“It’s really going to take it to the next level,” Mitchell said. “We will be buying more equipment and enhancing what we already have with the Advance Visualization Center. We are also trying to create new pathways to health careers.”

The visualization center allows students to use 3-D computer technology and create arms, legs and other body parts. Johnny Moss, Visualization Center Director, said the grant would allow students to create 77 additional objects.

“Looking at a chalkboard isn’t going to reach students as much as having them take a hands-on approach,” Moss said.

In addition to the visualization center, the $3.25 million will also be invested in getting the school certified in other health care programs, such as lobotomy.

“The different certificates will allow us to serve more students by offering various new programs,” Moss said. “We certainly hope that it will draw in more students.”

WCCS isn’t the only one that received millions of dollars.

A total of $474.5 million in grants was given to colleges and universities around the country for the development and expansion of training programs.

A consortium of community colleges in Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina received a total $25 million with a focus in health care. Wallace Community College-Hanceville received $3.22 million.