By Linda Waggener, assistant director of university communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – “Dual Credit gave me a head start on college,” said CU junior Kerri Nottingham, “and helped me avoid the culture shock of those first few weeks.”
She is among a growing number of students who get the jump on college by enrolling in college classes while they are still in high school. Becoming part of the Campbellsville University Dual Credit program allows students to:
- Attend college classes during high school hours with no added travel
- Graduate from college in less time – in Kerri’s example a full year early
- Save up to 90 percent over the cost of a regular college course
- Enjoy campus events and facilities with their own college I.D.
- Learn what to expect from a college professor’s requirements
- Enroll in an exciting process open to all students who qualify.
“The overall mission of CU is to help students find their calling,” said CU president Michael V. Carter. “The Dual Credit program really supports that mission by helping students get an early start on their future while saving money on the cost of college.”
The best aspect of Dual Credit is that each student actually gets help and support toward college success throughout the semester from both high school leaders and CU admissions, said Dave Walters, vice president for admissions and student services.
“We host a special event each year specifically for Dual Credit students to come on campus because we value these students as our own,” he said.
CU’s Dual Credit program has experienced rapid growth since its inception several years ago. In 2005, Campbellsville University enrolled more Dual Credit students than any other independent college in Kentucky. The program set a school record in fall 2006 with 518 students entering the program from 22 different school systems across the state.
Calculus teacher Suzanne Boling Miller was the first to share information on the CU opportunity at Breckinridge County High School. She is one of two fully accredited faculty there.
Nottingham comes from a home where education is a priority, her mother said, so she was always looking ahead and explored Dual Credit.
“My husband, Joe, and I always taught our kids that education was their jobs,” mom Vicky Nottingham said, “and their pay while they were in school came in the form of a report card. The better the report card, the better they could expect to do in their careers.”
The Nottinghams visited Campbellsville University first on its Web site, www.campbellsville.edu, then called and spoke with Sharon Gowin, assistant to the vice president for admissions and student services, to set up an appointment for a visit.
“Everyone we met on campus that day was so helpful and welcoming,” said Vicky Nottingham. “We felt our daughter would be in good company and safe there.”
Kerri said there have been many people who have helped her find her way since that first visit. She believes the process of taking the actual college classes from a teacher the student is already used to makes a big difference.
That was about three years ago and today, her family looks back and sees how it has helped Kerri make a seamless transition from high school student to college student. They say they can certainly recommend Dual Credit.
Families and teachers who have not been exposed to the opportunity need to know that Dual Credit can ease the top concerns of a high school student.
For information on Dual Credit at Campbellsville University, call (270) 789-5220.
Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,310 students who represent 100 Kentucky counties, 32 states and 28 foreign nations. Listed in U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” 14 consecutive years as one of the leading Southern master’s colleges and universities, Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his ninth year as president.