(a) The Legislature finds and determines all of the following:

(1) That it is necessary to the welfare of the state that it provide workforce development initiatives that are responsive to industry needs from highly specialized training programs that help prepare entry level employees to meet growing demands.

(2) That the needs of the citizens, businesses, and industries of the state are best served by a unified system of institutions and programs delivering excellence in academic education, adult education, and workforce development.

(3) That a unified system is best supported and supervised by a board of trustees devoted solely to providing the best possible facilities, teaching, and instruction through the Alabama Community College System.

(4) That high quality, affordable, local educational opportunities for students to obtain associate's degrees and to prepare for continuing their education at four-year institutions have been a hallmark of Alabama's two-year college system since its inception, that the board of trustees created by this article is charged with maintaining and building upon those options to ensure that a college education remains affordable for all Alabama families.

(b) For purposes of this article, the following words and phrases shall have the respective meaning ascribed to them by this section:

(1) ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM. The state-supported system of community and technical colleges formerly operating under the supervision of the State Board of Education, including individual institutions, system-wide programs, other related organizations, and central operations.

(2) BOARD. The Board of Trustees of the Alabama Community College System.

(3) CHANCELLOR. The chief executive officer of the Alabama Community College System.

(4) COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES. The publicly supported two-year schools established as community colleges, junior colleges, technical colleges, and trade schools previously under the authority of the State Board of Education.