College Takes Lead In Hosting First-Ever Mid-Atlantic Dual Enrollment Conference

The focus on student success begins long before students actually enroll in college. More and more students are gaining an edge by participating in dual enrollment programs.

On July 14,  nearly 100 higher education practitioners from across the region came together to share best practices in the first-ever Mid Atlantic conference on dual enrollment sponsored by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) and Community College of Philadelphia.

Conference-goers shared information about their policies and programs, funding models and recent innovations and trends. They eagerly exchanged strategies because they all had one goal in common: creating a more effective academic bridge between high school and college for students.

Dr. David E. Thomas, associate vice president for Strategic Initiatives and dean of the College’s Division of Access and Community Engagement (DACE), declared the day-long conference a “smashing success,” and thanked College organizers for their hospitality and “making a positive lasting impression.”

The College serves an average of 1,000 students who are part of dual enrollment programs, including early and middle college programs, such as Gateway to College, Master Charter Schools @ CCP and the Early College Program, its new partnership with MaST Community Charter School, which operates out of the College’s Northeast Regional Center.

For students like Jalil Ross, the Gateway to College program allowed him to get back on track toward achieving his academic goals.  “I was tired of failing, tired of things not working,” said Ross, 20, who entered the program after dropping out of high school during his junior year.

He went on to earn his diploma while earning college credits toward an associate’s degree. “Being in this program has completely changed how I operate in school. I wanted something to work,” Ross said. “This works.”