By David Cody Saylor and Rachel Dorroh
The Dual Enrollment Program at Union Commonwealth University has officially been reinstated. High school students from Barbourville Independent, Knox Central, and Lynn Camp now have an opportunity to simultaneously earn college and high school credits through Union at no charge.
“Over and over, I hear from our community that they want us to offer dual credit again,” said Union’s Interim President Dr. D.J. Washington. “This is the single most value-added thing we can do for them, and I’m proud to be part of bringing it back.”
Superintendent Dennis Messer of Barbourville Independent Schools highlighted the importance of dual enrollment options for local students. “A lot of kids now will have 30 hours when they graduate. It gives them a nice head start when they begin college,” he said.
The full offerings will launch in January 2025, but the Media Arts Pathway has already begun this semester. One hundred fifty-three Knox County high school students are enrolled – 89 from Knox Central and 64 from Lynn Camp.
“The Media Arts Pathway allows students to learn digital skills that will be useful throughout their lives, no matter their chosen profession,” said Union Professor of Media Communications Dr. Christine Marley-Frederick. “There are a lot of great teachers in our local schools who are well trained and educated in the media arts, and it is exciting to see them offering this to their students.”
Jeremy Ledford, Superintendent of Knox County Public Schools and a Union alum, said the Media Arts Pathway is his district’s response to “growing interest” in the media arts among high school students.
Director of District Communications and Governance for Knox County Public Schools Frank Shelton explained that the career pathways are a new feature that was not part of the former dual credit agreements.
“Previously, students earned college credit, but it was not toward a specific career path. This is a significant improvement over the previous agreements,” said Shelton, who was his district’s coordinator for the prior program and is also a Union alum.
“The media pathway is only the beginning as we work, as we have in the past, to identify opportunities for our students,” Ledford added. “We are excited to be returning to Union and offering dual credit at our hometown university.”
While earning college credits and career exploration are major benefits, the program offers more than just academic advantages. As College Program Liaison and Coordinator Dr. Lori Henderson put it, “Dual Credit offers students an opportunity to see what college is like.” For students uncertain about pursuing higher education, this program could play a crucial role in shaping their career paths and educational choices.
Henderson, who is Union’s Dean of the School of Education and Kinesiology, led the task force charged with reinstating the Dual Enrollment Program. Other task force members are as follows: Dr. D. J. Washington; Assistant Professor of Education Dr. Ryan Winders, Assistant Professor of Health & Wellness Chris Gibson, and Head Cheerleading Coach and Reading Interventionist at Knox Central Elementary Lisa Napier. Additionally, Title III Program Coordinator Rachel Gaynor served as a consultant in the process.
Dual Enrollment is available to both juniors and seniors who maintain a 3.0 or higher grade point average (GPA) and earn an ACT score of at least 18. Eligible students will be able to choose from different educational pathways including nursing, education and media arts.
To ensure that cost is not a barrier, the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) covers tuition for all students enrolled in the program. For students who choose to continue their education after high school, this financial support offers significant long-term cost savings. They can enter college with up to a year’s worth of credits already completed and paid for.
Union Commonwealth University’s full Dual Enrollment program is set to launch in January 2025, and courses will be available both online and in-person. To ensure academic rigor, all courses and programs must comply with quality standards set by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Dual enrollment instructors are required to have obtained at least a master’s degree or 18 credit hours in their respective subject.
Details about full course offerings will be available in the coming months.
“We hope to continue expanding Union’s dual credit offerings for students at Barbourville High School, Knox Central, and Lynn Camp and within the tri-county region in the near future,” Washington said. “Those conversations are already taking place.”
Students interested in participating in Union’s Dual Enrollment Program should contact their school guidance counselors for more information.
