Dual enrollment helps students get taste of college 11/12/2009 6:22 PM
By ROB NOVIT Senior writer
Aiken High School senior Victoria Dennis will enroll at Lander University next fall with a different kind of head start.
Thanks to the dual enrollment approach, Dennis is taking two classes at Aiken Technical College this semester and will take two additional courses after the holidays.
"I just thought of it as a way to make my class load easier at Lander," said Dennis, who plans to major in nursing. "I'm taking English and psychology classes this semester."
Thanks to the Horace Mann Insurance Agency, Dennis also has a $500 scholarship to apply toward tuition at ATC.
Kevin Hunt, the Horace Mann agency manager for Aiken County, said he welcomes the opportunity to get involved in the dual/concurrent enrollment effort.
"It's catching on very well," he said. "We're glad to be on the forefront of it."
Aiken Technical College and USC Aiken are collaborating with the Aiken County School District on enrollment options for juniors and seniors.
Concurrent enrollment classes at either college are independent of the high school work.
Dennis, however, is getting credit at high school and ATC through the dual enrollment program.
She's the first Aiken High student to participate, and Principal Garen Cofer is enthusiastic about finding others to consider it.
The program is not just for students who intend to go to college. Those who haven't seriously thought about it now have the chance to give college a try while still in high school.
"Times are changing," Cofer said. "High schools are expanding opportunities so that more students have the chance to be successful. We have to open more doors for them. If we don't, we're doing our students a disservice."
Dennis' mother, Gina Bassford, said her daughter can get that introduction to college life while still living at home.
"It's the best of both worlds," Bassford said. "Victoria is getting college credit and helping her high school GPA."
Dennis said she has found the classes at Aiken Technical College fun and worthwhile.
"All the people are great, and it's given an idea of what college is going to be like," she said.
Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.
Notice about comments:
AikenStandard.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. AikenStandard.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not AikenStandard.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
0