Students graduate from both their respective high schools and SCC this spring

Tiphany White, Justin Railsback, Darren Hall and Bethany Wilson have saved their parents thousands of dollars in college expenses. The frugal four did it by enrolling in Southwestern Community College’s Current Enrollment Program through which they earned a free two year college degree while still in high school.

At a recent luncheon held to honor the four young people, SCC president, Dr. Cecil Groves remarked how participation in this unique program for high school students has helped them and their families save anywhere from $8,000 to $40,000 on college tuition and fees. “It is a remarkable accomplishment to enroll at Southwestern Community College and complete a degree while still in high school. You can be very proud of what you have achieved and what you have saved your families,” Groves said.

According to Linda Dyke, SCC Concurrent Enrollment director, there are currently over 280 students from Jackson, Macon and Swain counties and the Qualla Boundary participating in the CE Program at the college. Many eligible students take a college-level course or two as an elective part of their high school program. Still others will dual-enroll at SCC, taking classes after school, in the evening, on weekends or online.

SCC Current Enrollment students, Tiphany White, center left, and Darren Hall, center right, visit with Linda Dyke, director of Current Enrollment, and Dr. Gene Couch, vice president for Instruction and Student Services.

“Most of our Concurrent Enrollment students take college/university transfer courses they can carry with them to the 16 UNC system universities and many private colleges within the state,” Dyke said. “Most see this as a way to complement their achievements while in high school and get a head start on their college work. Additionally, we have students who take courses in cosmetology, culinary & hotel/ restaurant management, automotive, information systems, outdoor leadership and other programs here at SCC. There’s really something for everyone if the student has the desire.”

What’s most impressive, however, about the four students honored recently is they are not only completing their requirements for high school diplomas this spring, they have also earned enough credits to actually complete associate degrees at the same time. This is quite a remarkable achievement according to Dr. Gene Couch, vice president for Instructional & Student Services at Southwestern. “These are extremely talented and motivated individuals,” said Couch. “They have really dedicated themselves to their coursework.”

Tiphany White, a senior at Swain County High School in Bryson City, said she intends to become a teacher or school administrator after continuing her education at a state university. She says she plans to earn a Master’s degree immediately after completing her Bachelor’s degree. “Because I’m completing my Associate’s degree now, I’ll likely finish my Bachelor’s at age 20. I won’t be able to apply for a teaching license until I’m 21, so I might as well keep going straight through,” said White.

“I’d say that’s not too horrible of a problem to have,” Dyke said, laughing. “I advise students to take some college courses now. They will not only benefit from the quality college education available in their hometown environment, they will also build in flexibility for later on down the road. A Current Enrollment student like Tiphany who continues to a four year college or university will have the flexibility to take a lighter load some semester if needed, take time off for other pursuits, or complete a Master’s degree at an earlier age.”

The other high school students graduating this year have similar stories. Darren Hall, a home schooled student from Jackson County, intends to attend a university and pursue an additional degree. Ultimately, he is interested in a career in artificial intelligence research. “I have some time to figure it out,” says Hall. Bethany Wilson, a home schooled student from Franklin, completed her degree requirements last December. She plans to continue her studies and pursue a Bachelor’s degree at a four-year college.

Justin Railsback, a senior at Smoky Mountain High in Sylva, will attend NC State University as a junior this fall. “I liked the idea of completing high school and my first two years of college at the same time,” he said. “And it sure doesn’t hurt that those first two years of college were free.”

“It’s a milestone for the Current Enrollment program to have four high school students earning degrees with us this year,” Dyke said. “And although we’ve only had two do so in our history, I’m meeting more and more really motivated students who intend to follow in these students’ footsteps.”

SCC will see a significant increase in CE students in the near future, according to Couch.

“The Macon County Early College High School will get underway with 50 new students who intend to start high school next year and earn their degrees with us in the next four to five years,” he said. “We are looking forward to having these young people on campus. Their commitment and enthusiasm is inspiring to all of us.”

For more information about SCC Concurrent Enrollment programs, phone 828.586.4091, ext. 394 or 800.447.4091 or visit the SCC website at www.southwesterncc.edu/collconn/concurrent.

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