By Jennifer Gasiorek—
Muncie, IN– Muncie Central High School offers the Early College dual credit program in partnership with Ivy Tech Community College. Sixty-four 2021 Muncie Central graduates earned enough credits to transfer at the sophomore or junior level to a four-year college of their choice, saving local students thousands of dollars as they prepare for their future. Through the program, graduates earned an associate’s degree in general studies or their state transfer general elective core (STEGC) from Ivy Tech Community College.
“It’s fantastic to see so many students take advantage of our Early College program offered in conjunction with Ivy Tech,” MCS Director of Public Education and CEO Dr. Lee Ann Kwiatkowski said. “Not only does this provide students with a huge boost toward a successful career after high school, but it saves families thousands of dollars in higher education costs. It can actually be life altering for many young people.”
One group of MCS graduates and friends had one thing in common – Qiana Clemens.
Qiana Clemens, Executive Director of Development at Ivy Tech, said, “I saw all my kids at graduation and had to take a selfie. I am so proud of each of these students for persisting, reaching this goal and the impact it will have on their future.” Clemens had each of the students in her after school program in a prior position.
Each of “Qiana’s kids” had a part-time job, participated in athletics, are the first in the family to earn a degree, and didn’t have any teachers that looked like them.
“I almost teared up watching these students cross the stage at Ivy Tech’s graduation,” said Wayne Johnson, Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Services for Ivy Tech. “I have known some of these kids their whole life, their parents and their siblings. This cohort of students are setting the mark for their siblings, their friends and they are the future of Muncie.”
Jii’Tyonne Thomas persisted in the dual credit program because she had a built-in accountability group through her friends. Thomas said, “Don’t procrastinate! When you have the right friends like we do, we all help each other out.”
Andrea Fisher said, “Be persistent, ask questions and do what you got to do to get it done.”
Ja’Viona Smith said, “Get in the right friend group. When you take dual credits from Ivy Tech, it gives you the right college experience, homework wise, and I know it will be very beneficial.” Smith’s next step is going to Ball State to study accounting.
Other students said that reaching their goal of having two years of college completed so that they can transfer to a four-year with many of their credits done had given them the boost they needed to move forward with their college plans. Another common reason students gave for their dedication to earning dual credit was to be good role models for their younger siblings to reach for their academic goals.
Michael Lowe wants to be a coach, so he is considering teaching. As he reflected on his educational journey, he did not have one black male teacher. As the group discussed their experience, they each had reasons to reach and achieve their goal of receiving a two-year degree while in high school. Lowe’s advice to future dual credit students is, “Just get it done.”
DaMar Woods said, “I just kept going because I knew it was going to help me in the long run, because I knew I wanted to go to college after high school. I wanted to get it out of the way.”
Woods’ advice for high school students, “It’s going to be hard at first. Get it over with and don’t try to stress too much. Once you get it done you will be happy that you did.”
High school students can complete enough dual credits to transfer as a sophomore or junior to nearly all four-year state and some private universities.
Trenton said, “Get it done while you’re still young. It will put you ahead of the game.”
For more information about Ivy Tech’s dual credit program, visit www.ivytech.edu/dualcredit or email askmuncie@ivytech.edu.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College serves communities across Indiana, providing world-class education and driving economic transformation. It is the state’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering high-value degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its communities, along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.
