By Julie Waecther, special assignment to Adams State
Monte Vista High School senior Presley Lozoya is one of hundreds of high school students who will enter college with credits already earned through Adams State University’s Concurrent Enrollment Program. This saves them both time and money. Participating high schools cover tuition, while students are responsible for fees and books, according to Renae Haslett, Concurrent Enrollment Director.
This semester, 270 students, including 248 from San Luis Valley high schools, are enrolled in concurrent courses; 359 students enrolled last fall. Haslett noted the 261 SLV students enrolled in a total of 1931 credits last fall and saved a total of nearly $433,000. Local students may attend classes on campus or online. Students from any high school may participate, regardless of college choice.
Adams State’s Concurrent Enrollment Program emphasizes Guaranteed Transfer general education courses that are accepted at all Colorado public institutions of higher education. Lozoya is taking Communication Arts and Introduction to Psychology and will have earned 15 college credits when she graduates high school.
“It’s really amazing; college works differently than high school. There is a greater level of maturity, and I’m benefiting from multiple perspectives,” she said. She plans to major in forensic psychology at Arizona State University and eventually earn a master’s degree in that field. At Monte Vista High School, she participates in cheer, color guard, student council, MESA Club (math, engineering, science, arts), and FBLA.
Concurrent students who later enroll at Adams State University can earn a $1,000 scholarship, if they have completed 15 or more credits during high school.
Haslett added Adams State has a textbook lending library for high school students, so they can borrow books rather than buy them.
For more information visit Concurrent Enrollment Program or concurrentenrollment@adams.edu; or 719-587-7671.
