Dual Enrollment Grads Have What It Takes
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Kicking off the festivities, Provost James Canniff welcomed the high school students and cited the importance of the program. “Dual Enrollment is special because it gives high school juniors and seniors the chance to earn college credits in high school—and it prepares them for college.” And that’s not all: some BHCC Dual Enrollment students have graduated from high school with more than 30 college credits already completed, which means saving money on tuition and beginning college as sophomore. The program also allows students to work on pre-requisite courses for some of BHCC’s most selective programs while still in high school. Again, that saves time and money when a student arrives at college.
Everett High School (EHS) Principal Erick Naumann, the keynote speaker for the event, said that he had learned about dual enrollment from his students and that their enthusiasm for the program was backed up by solid research. “Studies show that students who take dual enrollment courses are more prepared, persistent and practical,” he said. “They achieve higher grade point averages in college, and need fewer developmental courses.” The School Committee for Everett High School recently approved a collaboration agreement with Bunker Hill Community College to offer dual enrollment courses at EHS.
BHCC Business Professor Justice Kumahia, a graduate of BHCC who taught Dual Enrollment students at Malden High School, offered the faculty perspective on the program. He stressed the importance for high school students of gaining familiarity with the college experience. At his prompting, the 535 graduates shouted in unison: “Thank you, Dual Enrollment! I know what it takes to be successful in college.” Cheers followed. Certificates were presented to the grads by Gretchen M. Lahey, Senior Special Programs Coordinator of Dual Enrollment and the Malden Satellite Campus.