Wallace State Career Tech Dual Enrollment students share benefits of program

HANCEVILLE, ALA. – Wallace State Community College dual enrollment student Mason Shirley is approaching his senior year at Hayden High School.
Once Shirley walks across the stage for graduation next spring, if all goes as planned, he’ll nearly have a college degree under his belt as well after earning credit in Wallace State’s Career Tech Dual Enrollment program.
Shirley, an engineering technology student, is among the throng of high school students dually enrolled at Wallace State through their respective high schools.
Dual enrollment registration is underway at Wallace State.
Shirley, who wants to pursue a career in mechanical engineering, began dual enrollment classes last summer and wrapped up his fourth semester in the program this week.
“I don’t think I’ll fully realize how much the dual enrollment opportunity is going to benefit me until I graduate high school. If I keep up the pace I’m on, I’ll graduate with an associate’s degree in December 2015, and that’s a great feeling,” Shirley said. “It keeps me motivated to do my best in class, knowing how much it’s going to benefit me.”
Wallace State’s dual enrollment program allows academic and technically-motivated students to enroll in college classes concurrently with their high school classes, thereby receiving both high school and college credit.
Diana Majerik is Wallace State’s Director of Dual Enrollment, Fast Track and Off Campus programs, and she said the college had 153 students from 26 different Alabama high schools participating in the Career Tech Dual Enrollment Scholarship program this summer. The total amount of scholarships awarded this summer was $144,255.
“Last summer, we had 117 students so we are thrilled more students are signing up to take advantage of this opportunity. The scholarship pays for two courses or six credit hours each semester including textbooks,” Majerik said. “Many of the students from this summer have already signed up to continue in the fall.”
High school students should first check with their guidance counselor about dual enrollment opportunities through Wallace State.
Students are eligible for dual enrollment courses after they have completed ninth grade. They must have maintained a “B” average in completed, standard high school courses leading to a high school diploma. Students must have written approval from the principal and local superintendent to enter dual enrollment courses, meet entrance requirements and complete placement exams.
If high school students begin dual enrollment classes the summer after their sophomore year, they have the opportunity to earn 36 credit hours of college coursework before completing their high school education.
Carissa Barrios of Cleveland High School, a dual enrollment student in Wallace State’s Business Education program, just wrapped up a busy summer on campus, enrolling in psychology and accounting among other classes.
“I originally heard about dual enrollment through some of my classmates (at Cleveland). It sounded like something that could better my future and be very beneficial,” said Barrios, who took her first dual enrollment classes in January. “I know now that it’s something every student should try if their high school offers it. I encourage anyone to go for it. You have a wonderful opportunity to get ahead by the time you graduate high school, and the scholarship opportunities are great. If you need help, there is always someone at Wallace State willing to help. Everyone’s motivation is different to get started, but I promise you’ll want to stick through it.”
Jamie Furlong and Karlie Concord are a pair of Barrios’ classmates in the Business Ed program, and they both became interested in dual enrollment after Wallace State’s Majerik visited their classes with a presentation about the program’s benefits and scholarships available. Furlong attends Fairview High School and Concord, a Curry High student, became aware of the Wallace State opportunity while attending the Walker County Center of Technology.
“Once Mrs. (Diana) Majerik came to our school, I decided to talk with her some more. I was surprised when she told me about all the scholarships available. I was wondering how quickly I could sign up,” said Furlong, who wants to earn a degree in accounting. “I think you are going to see more and more people sign up for dual enrollment classes from Fairview. It’s something that’s being pushed more and more.”
Furlong began her first dual enrollment classes this summer. So did Concord.
“I love dual enrollment so far. I know things get busier in the fall and spring with our high school work, but I think it’s a perfect opportunity,” Concord said. “I’m going to encourage a lot of my friends to look into it.”
As Susan Moore student Garry Davis approaches his senior year of high school, he’s excited after completing a pair of welding dual enrollment courses this summer.
“I feel really good about it. It’s nice to get some college hours in before I start my senior year,” Davis said. “I’ve had experience in welding, but the classes this summer really helped me dig deeper into it. The courses were set up good.”
In April, a new career technical dual enrollment tax credit was unveiled by the Department of Postsecondary Education. It will allow more high school students to enroll in programs that are preparing them for high-demand, high-wage jobs.
The new legislation allows businesses and individuals to donate funds for career technical dual enrollment and receive tax credits for up to 50 percent of the donation not to exceed $500,000 nor an amount greater than 50 percent of the taxpayer’s Alabama income tax liability. Donors can direct that up to 80 percent of contributors be allocated to specific career technical programs at a particular institution.
The new tax credit goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2015.
“With our expanding industry in the area, due to local economic development agencies, it is crucial we continue to produce skilled workers to fill vacant positions,” Majerik said. “Studies reveal students who begin college coursework during high school are not only more likely to complete high school, but they are also more likely to enroll in college immediately and continue on to the second year. This funding will give more students in our area an opportunity to do just that.”
Like career/technical dual enrollment, which leads to an Associate in Applied Science degree or certificate, Wallace State also offers dual enrollment courses in academic areas of study for students pursuing the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science or academic transfer credit.
For more information about dual enrollment opportunities at Wallace State, contact Majerik at 256.352.8050 or email her at diana.majerik@wallacestate.edu.
For more information about Wallace State, visit wallacestate.edu.
Pictures:
Mason Shirley of Hayden High School has been enrolled in Wallace State’s Career Tech Dual Enrollment program since last summer. He has been taking classes in Wallace State’s Engineering Technology program.
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Russell Moore
Staff Writer
Wallace State Community College
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