Alabama State University partners with Atlas Complex in Marion for workforce training

Alabama State University has signed an agreement to partner with Callan JMB, which operates Atlas Complex at the former Judson College.

In the partnership, ASU students will get hands-on training working with the pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing projects coming to the planned 150-acre Atlas Complex on the Judson campus in Marion.

Callan JMB and ASU held a signing ceremony in Judson’s chapel on Thursday with Wayne Williams, CEO of Callan JMB, and Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr., president of Alabama State University. Sen. Bobby Singleton, who is an ASU Board of Trustee, was also in attendance.

In April, Callan JMB announced it was locating at the closed Judson campus, saying the project would be a national center for pharmaceutical research and manufacturing of various products and bring 500 jobs.

The agreement with Callan is an extension of a previous partnership with ASU during COVID.

“Six years ago, we partnered with Callan JMB to help protect ASU students during COVID,” Ross said. “Today, this partnership connects education directly with industry, preparing our students to lead and innovate in a rapidly evolving sector.”

Alabama State University says it will play a key role in preparing students for careers in these high-demand industries through specialized training and workforce development initiatives.

“The agreement will provide students with hands-on opportunities in biotechnology, regulatory compliance, health care logistics, and supply chain management through internships, research, and industry engagement,” ASU said in a statement. “Faculty members will also lead applied research projects addressing critical challenges in health care manufacturing.”

Callan’s Wayne Williams said the vision behind the Atlas Complex is to build “an ecosystem where industry, higher education, and innovation come together to solve vital health care supply chain challenges. Alabama State University is an exceptional partner in helping us build that future.”

The collaboration is expected to create high-quality jobs and generate more than $430 million in annual revenue at full maturity, positioning Marion as a growing hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing and health care logistics, ASU said in a statement.