The best head start: More than 2,800 high school students earned NICC college credits in 2018
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
ALLAMAKEE COUNTY–Whether high school students’ career goals include becoming a biologist, teacher, accountant, welder or a nurse, the opportunity to take college courses while in high school brings them even closer to their dream job, more quickly and affordably.
More than 2,800 high school students took advantage of these opportunities from 2017- 2018 because of concurrent enrollment agreements between the schools and Northeast Iowa Community College. Last year, 2,848 students out of 6,045 total NICC students, or 47 percent, were high school students. Students who work closely with advisors at their high school, and with the College’s success coaches, can earn credits that apply to an NICC career and technical program, or a transferable associate’s degree.
In fact, one Waukon High School senior graduated this May with a high school diploma and an Associate of Arts from NICC at the same time. Madisen Ahlstrom earned 60 credits from the College while in high school – the first two years of a bachelor’s degree – and is transferring to Grand View University in Des Moines next fall. Madisen plans to major in Biology and play basketball.
“Our partnerships with high schools in Allamakee County provide a unique opportunity for students to earn credits through Northeast Iowa Community College. The concurrent enrollment agreements are not only affordable for families; they are the best opportunities for high school students to get a head start on their college journey and career pathways by accumulating transferable college credits and general education requirements,” Wendy Mihm-Herold, Ph.D., NICC vice president of business and community solutions, said.
In Allamakee County from 2017-2018, 327 high school students enrolled in 2,909 college credits through Northeast Iowa Community College, saving their families an estimated $1,553,755 in tuition. From 2015-2018, 99 out of 450 Waukon High School seniors, or 22 percent, enrolled at NICC the fall semester after graduation.
High school students save time and their families’ money by earning college credit and/or a degree from NICC. The High School Partnerships option that makes these opportunities possible is accredited by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP). To learn more, visit www.nicc.edu/hspartnerships.
For more information on services and resources offered through the Waukon Center, contact Erica Nosbisch, center director, at (563) 568-3060 or nosbische@nicc.edu.