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August 17, 2006

College begins new dual enrollment program

By Nancy Glasscock

Forty-two high school juniors and seniors began orientation Thursday for Wallace State Community College's new Fast Track to College Academy.

The program allows high school juniors and seniors to complete their high school education while attaining post-secondary certificates or degrees.

"Through this program we are building on our existing Early College Enrollment program and meeting the demands of local workforce development," Wallace State President Vicki Hawsey said.

Hawsey and Dale Palmer, director of the college's Extended Learning and Fast Track programs, briefed the students at the James C. Bailey building on what to expect this semester. Classes begin Monday.

Wallace State is one of eight community colleges and four charter schools nationwide to be granted funding for the model program. The college is the only institution in Alabama to implement Fast Track.

The initial grant of $790,760 awarded by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Vocational and Adult Education will fund the program for five years.

"This program will be able to fund educational training that would be cost prohibitive for other programs," said Suzanne Harbin, director of development at Wallace State. "We will have the equipment to teach industrial maintenance technology and for the faculty to teach nursing, for example, so we won't be competing with the Cullman Area Career Center."

According to Wallace State officials, Fast Track is targeted to specific career or degree tracks, and classes will be conducted at an academy on the Wallace State Campus. The program is similar to dual enrollment in that it offers simultaneous high school and college credit.

Holly Pond High School junior Christen Allen said she joined the Fast Track program to prepare early for the workforce. She said she plans to become a pharmacy technician.

"I decided I liked being at college more than high school," she said.

Fast Track Academy options include health occupations, public safety and automotive manufacturing technology. Hawsey said about 800 prospective students applied for the college's nursing program, which accepts 200 students.

Wallace State's nursing program has a 93 percent passing rate on the licensure exam, she said.

"We expect lots from you," Hawsey told the students. "You're here because you are mature students. You have demonstrated your desire to succeed, and that's what we're looking for."

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