Olivier Charles took over as president of Bishop State Community College in August of last year. The school, which was founded in 1927, has become a central piece in Mobile’s workforce development efforts, with its 80,000 square foot advanced manufacturing training center that opened in the fall and an aviation manufacturing technology program.

Charles was born in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, but grew up in Mobile. He is a graduate of Murphy High School and the University of West Alabama. Previously, he worked as the Vice Chancellor for Student Success with the Alabama Community College System and served as Dean of Students at Enterprise Community College.

Here, he discusses the school’s role in the Mobile community and his first year in office.

Questions and answers have been condensed and edited for clarity.

You’re finishing up your first year at Bishop State. I’m wondering, how has your first year been? What’s it been like?