As career coaches, Betsy Ruiz and Emilee Crowder have two of the most straightforward job descriptions of anyone who works at McDowell Technical Community College: Provide outreach to high school learners and support students’ exploration of career pathways. Provide guidance for high school students who need to register for FREE college classes through the Career and College Promise Program (CCP) at McDowell Tech. Assist students in overcoming whatever obstacles or barriers stand in the way of successfully completing a college pathway or certificate while still in high school.
“It’s really that simple,” said Dr. Brian S. Merritt, MTCC President. “We have two career coaches, one for traditional high school students—Emilee Crowder—and one for homeschool, private, and charter school students—Betsy Ruiz, who is also our CCP Student Success Coordinator—and their jobs are to help students embark on a career pathway which can include enrolling in a Career & College Promise program that offers of FREE college for high school students who want to get an early start on earning college credit and credentials while working towards their career goals.”
How the CCP Program Works
The Career and College Promise (CCP) program allows eligible high school, home school and private school students to simultaneously enroll in high school and community college classes in which they can earn a certificate, diploma, or a state or industry-recognized credential and entry-level job skills.
The most attractive feature of the CCP program is that tuition for the community college classes are FREE. Depending on the number of credits a student takes while still in high school, this can represent a savings of several thousand dollars over taking the same classes after they graduate from high school.
The program works like this: 11th or 12th grade high school, home school or private school students fill out a short application form and submit it to the college along with a transcript of their prior high school credits and a permission form from their high school principal or his or her designee. At McDowell High School, for example, Melora Bennett, the principal, or the student’s guidance counselor, may sign the permission form for students.
There are a few rare and exceptional situations in which younger students may enroll prior to their 11th grade year, but criteria for such admissions is very rigorous.
Students who apply to the program identify a career goal, such as nursing, engineering, teaching, or any other number of professions. Based on the career goals a student has identified, Betsy and Emilee work with the student to identify “career pathways” that align with their career goals.
A student interested in business administration, for example, might choose from one of three business administration programs, or a student in nursing might choose a nursing assistant pathway. Other students may choose to enroll in the college transfer pathway to take classes that will transfer to a four-year college in non-vocational program areas.
Eligible students then attend regular college classes in their chosen pathway and earn regular college credits—all while still in high school. And the best part? There is no tuition for these classes!
There are a few minimum standards that students must meet in order to be accepted into the program, and in all cases, admission is subject to approval from the high school principal. Generally speaking, students must have a cumulative, unweighted grade point average of at least 2.8 in all prior high school classes. Those not meeting this requirement may be allowed to submit a letter of recommendation from the high school principal in career and technical education pathways, or appropriate standardized test scores from an approved test, such as Pre-ACT, ACT, PSAT or SAT for college transfer pathways.
“We have done our best to simplify the admissions process for students interested in our Career and College Promise Program,” said Merritt, the MTCC President. “Emilee and Betsy stand ready to help folks complete an application for the program and answer any questions students or their parents might have. Most importantly, this program gives students a head start on the training and job skills they need to be successful in the workforce or to transfer to a four-year college or university. With FREE tuition, FREE college credits and FREE career training, there’s no better time than today to give Betsy or Emilee a call to sign up for this program. ”
For more information on the CCP program and an admission application, visit https://mcdowelltech.edu/career-college-promise/ , or contact Emilee Crowder at 828-659-0427 (traditional high school students) or Betsy Ruiz at 652-0621 (homeschool, private, and charter school students).
