J.F. Drake State Technical College President Dr. Helen T. McAlpine has been appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the board of directors for the White House initiative on historically black colleges and universities.

She was sworn in at 5 p.m. Tuesday in Hunstville.

McAlpine has been the President of J. F. Drake State Technical College since 2000, and has more than 38 years of experience in the field of education. Her prior positions include assistant superintendent of the Huntsville City School System and several positions with the Gadsden City School System.

She also taught at the secondary and post-secondary levels, including at Jacksonville State University. She received her B.A. in English from Talladega College, her M.S. from Jacksonville State University and her Ed.D. from the University of Alabama.