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Dual Enrollment program excels; other Colleges take notice

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has been receiving recognition for its nationally accredited dual enrollment program known as Accelerated College Education (ACE). This has prompted both two and four-year institutions to seek the assistance of Pennsylvania Highlands in improving their own dual enrollment programs. Jennifer Parizo, Community Education Specialist at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, recently visited Penn Highlands and Dr. Melissa Murray, Dean of School Partnerships, to learn more about how the College’s ACE program operates in the hopes of emulating that success.

“Having the chance to talk with Dr. Murray, her team, and related professionals at Penn Highlands provided us with validation that we’re on the right track,” said Parizo. “We’re excited for the chance to establish the next phase of our program and build it around the exemplary program that Penn Highlands has developed.”

The Accelerated College Education (ACE) dual enrollment program is accredited by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment, which makes it one of only two such accredited programs in Pennsylvania. Through ACE, Pennsylvania Highlands partners with high schools throughout the state, providing students with the opportunity to earn college credits during their regular school day. The program benefits high school students in a variety of ways according to Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.

“The opportunity to participate in a class that has been developed to include college-level coursework and rigor provides a great overall learning experience for these students,” stated Dr. Walter Asonevich. “They are studying the subject matter and also developing skills that they can take with them to the next educational level, while earning transferable credits at a dramatically reduced tuition rate.”

The College’s ACE program began in 2004 with only seven high schools and just over 250 students participating. Today, ACE operates in over 50 high schools across 12 counties, teaching over 1,200 students through more than 250 instructors. The growth of Pennsylvania Highlands’ ACE program highlights the strength and benefits that ACE provides high school students not only in our region and across the state.

Group Photo (from left to right): Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College; Dr. Ted Nichols, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College; Jennifer Parizo, Community Education Specialist at the University of Maine at Fort Kent; Dr. Melissa Murray, Dean of School Partnerships at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College; and Joe Slifko, Accelerated College Education Faculty Coordinator.