The Educational Fast Track: Dual Enrollment

by Viveca Stucke

Educational advancements are a main focus of the government, citizens, and parents throughout the country, and one of the largest areas of growth are taking place in college. This isn’t in reference to developments in curriculum, or opportunities presented, but rather an increase in dual enrollment students.

Cape Cod Community College (4C’s) is more than familiar with this increasing phenomenon.

“The number of students has increased steadily, with over 10% growth each year.” Said Tara Riley, 4C’s dual enrollment advisor. This is higher than the national statistic of 7% growth reported by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships, an organization which works to guarantee high schoolers access to college level classes.

Tara Riley

This is academic trend allows students to broaden their knowledge due to the variety of classes offered at local colleges, helping gain a wider perspective on their educational interests. These are benefits that provide students with a brighter plan for their future and the academic impacts are not the only advantages.

“Discovering and learning about your strengths and challenges as a student at a community college is a much less of a financial risk than doing so after having moved away from home and paying for a four-year institution and experience.” said Riley, “Cape Cod Community College is a fantastic place for discovery and growth, and the experience sells itself.”

The integration of these students is a benefit to the campus as well. Students taking part in this program are an inspiration due to their mindset of motivation, and their willingness to learn.  

“Dual enrollment students are well positioned to be successful for a number of reasons.” Stated Riley, “First, they are coming straight from an academic environment (high school) versus students who have worked or taken a gap year – so they arrive with a “growth mindset” in place.” These students are willing to invest themselves into their education, but also the community, and it comes with a supplementation of influences.

“My largest benefit from being a dual enrollment student would have to be my personal growth.” said Faith Unwin, who is a second-year dual enrollment student. “I have found that I am more confident in myself. I have joined clubs and become very involved in the school.”

The atmosphere on a local college campus allows students to strengthen their academic foundations that will benefit them in future careers. Along with a fascinating experience, students taking advantage of this program show impressive initiative to succeed.

“Dual enrollment has allowed me to receive all of my general credits as well as credits for Sociology and Anthropology.” added Unwin, “I will be Mass Transferring to UMass Dartmouth and beginning as a third-year student in the sociology and Anthropology department.”

Dual enrollment students are not only building the foundation of their educational career at a young age, like Unwin, who will be entering UMass Dartmouth at the age of 18. These students are also presented with opportunities that they would not have been exposed to at their high schools.

“I am now the president of our school’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the co-president of the Alana Club, and a Supplemental Instructor and Peer Tutor.” Unwin said, “Being a dual enrollment student has helped open me up to all of these experiences and I couldn’t be happier.”

The inclusion of these students on a college campus provides a variety of benefits and facilitates the development of a stronger academic foundation.

Categories: Around Campus, Student Life