“These programs provide opportunities for area students to begin their college degrees even before they graduate from high school. There are several options to appeal to a range of students, depending on their interests. Not only do they introduce students to the college experience, but they provide substantial cost-savings to students and their parents by allowing them to gain college credit for little or no cost,” OU-C Manager of Student Recruitment TJ Eveland said.
The options include:
POST-SECONDARY OPTION. Approximately 30 students are enrolled in this state-funded program, which allows students to take college courses on a part-time basis. The goal is to augment, rather than replace, the high school experience.
SENIORS TO SOPHOMORES. This is the second year for OU-C’s participation in the statewide program. The Chillicothe Campus partnered with 8 Ross County schools in the Early Adopter program last year. In the on-campus option, 10 Ross County high schools students are getting an early jump on their college careers by taking classes on the OU-C campus. The participating students will earn approximately 45 college credits during the academic year. They can also remain engaged in high school activities as their schedules allow.
Additionally, during 2009-10, OU-C and Southern State Community College partnered with Chillicothe and Zane Trace high schools to offer a pilot program that allows students to take classes for college credit at their high schools during the regular school day. Each high school has approximately 15 participants, which is the maximum number for the program. Similar options for the upcoming year are being discussed.
“By helping to offer these opportunities to high school students we are fulfilling the campus’ mission of making higher education accessible to area residents,” Eveland continued. “Students who are interested should contact their high school guidance counselors for more information. Or, area residents who are interested in pursuing a college education, whether at OU-C or elsewhere, can contact me, and I would be glad to speak with them.”
Several students who have been enrolled in these programs while in high school have continued their college careers on the Chillicothe Campus.
“The post-secondary programs I enrolled in helped to prepare me for college. By the time I graduated from high school last year I was a sophomore in college, and after this winter quarter I will be a junior,” said Unioto High School graduate Kandice Valentine, a former Seniors to Sophomores student who found the opportunity to be a good fit for her aspirations. “Also, I was able to save a lot of money for college and get all of my general classes out of the way. I was able to change my perspective of life.”
Taylor Corcoran, a fellow Seniors to Sophomores student from Unioto High School, said, “Being a high school student, it helped me to prepare for the college atmosphere. I attended college full-time as a high school student, so I became aware of what to expect when I would actually become a college student. The advantages are that you get used to the environment and you are way ahead of the rest of your class. All of my friends were finishing their senior year while I was doing that plus finishing my freshman year of college. It’s a great feeling knowing that I am going to have a year done, and it’s all paid for, so my parents saved money, also.”
Photo cutlines: Kandice Valentine (left) and Taylor Corcoran (right) both began their college careers while in high school and have continued their collegiate pursuits on the OU-C campus.
