What is Collegiate Connection ? - Southwestern Community College, Sylva, NC 28779

Collegiate Connections is a partnership between Southwestern and area public schools, that supports a collection of programs, services and resources designed to enhance the education and improve access to college for area young people. Collegiate Connections is comprised of four integrated initiatives—that together present a continuum of services responsive to the community’s needs.

Concurrent Enrollment The Concurrent Enrollment program can help young people make the most of their high school years by earning college credit while still in school—without the cost of tuition. These courses can be taken in a traditional classroom, over interactive television, through the Internet or via telecourses. Students can:
•	take college-level courses on their high school campus through the Huskins Program
•	take college-level courses at a Southwestern campus site through the Dual Enrollment Program
•	take selected high school courses that, upon graduation, earn college credit through the Tech Prep Program.

College Tech Prep The College Tech Prep program is a sequenced course of study that allows students, upon graduation from high school, to receive advanced placement or college credit for successfully completing selected high school courses. To earn Tech Prep credit, students must score a minimum of 70% on VoCATS posttest or equivalent (If a score below 70% is achieved, a letter of recommendation from the teacher will be required); have a minimum grade of “B” in the course; and enroll in SCC coursework within two years of high school graduation or obtain approval of SCC instructor. Huskins Huskins courses are generally taught at the area high school campuses or on-line by Southwestern instructors. ACE (Accelerated College Education) offers students four (4) pathways of sequenced courses to give the maximum number of credits possible within the high school day. Though SCC encourages students to follow the sequences of courses, they may take courses in any combination. The four pathways are: College Prep, Networking/Technology and Criminal Justice. Credit is earned at both the high school and SCC (or other post-secondary schools based on transferability). The courses are tuition-free. Students must be in 9th grade or higher to participate and must have the academic and social maturity necessary to succeed in college-level work. Students must have placed into college-level classes on the College Placement Test or SAT and be recommended by their high school principal. Other programs offered at specific high schools include: Swain High School - Carpentry and Masonry Certificate programs; Franklin and Smoky Mountain - EMT Basic Certificate program. Dual Enrollment Dual Enrollment courses are regularly scheduled courses generally taught at a Southwestern campus site or on-line, and credit is earned at SCC (or other post-secondary schools based on transferability). The courses are tuition-free. Students can attend any semester, including summer, as long as they will be enrolled in high school. Students must be 16, enrolled in high school for at least two classes (unless attending summer semester), recommended by the chief administrative public school officer and approved by the community college president. (more about Concurrent Enrollment) New Century Scholars The New Century Scholars program provides guaranteed, last-dollar scholarship support to attend Southwestern Community College with the option of continuing to WCU. Rising seventh graders in Jackson, Macon and Swain counties are recommended by public school personnel and take part in intervention strategies, enrichment activities and college awareness activities through middle and high school. (more about New Century Scholars) GEAR UP The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP UP) program is intended to significantly increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. The program is designed to impact all students from 7th – 12th grade in participating schools in Jackson, Macon and Swain counties and the Qualla Boundary. These students will receive supplemental instruction and remediation, enrichment experiences, cultural activities, career and college awareness, tutoring and mentoring. (more about GEAR UP) Upward Bound The Upward Bound program helps first-generation and low-income high-school aged students in Swain, Macon and Jackson Counties and the Qualla boundary develop the skills and motivation needed to succeed in high school and college. Students take part in weekly tutoring, academic advising and support, college touring, service learning opportunities, monthly campus experiences, outdoor adventures, cultural enrichment activities and a summer institute experience. (more about Upward Bound)