RBC Dual Enrollment Up By 22 Percent
For Immediate Release: February 21, 2024
Contact: Jesse Vaughan, Chief Communications & Marketing Officer/jvaughan@rbc.edu
The Richard Bland College of William & Mary (RBC) Dual Enrollment student population grew to 1,950—a 22 percent uptick from the previous school year. Chief Enrollment Management Officer Justin May attributes the growth to the addition of new courses within the program.
“Each year, we expand our course offerings with our school partners which creates greater accessibility for students,” May said.
The Dual Enrollment program grants high school students the opportunity to earn an associate’s degree at RBC. The college partners with roughly 25 high schools and academies and has guaranteed transfer agreements with more than 35 colleges and universities across the Commonwealth.
The Dual Enrollment program gives students a unique opportunity to experience the rigor of college coursework while in high school. It’s also cost-effective for students because if they decide to attend a four-year university after receiving their associate’s degree, they will borrow far less in student loans.
“My main benefit is I only have to go to school for two years to get my bachelor’s degree,” said Benjamin Cummings, a former Dual Enrollment student. “It’s easier for us to transfer those credits instead of going to a four-year institution to get the same degree for more money.”
Christie Clarke, Director of Dual Enrollment and High School Programs, lauded partner schools such as Hopewell High School for investing in the program.
“The school administration, particularly the principal, drives the program,” Clarke said. “When you have the buy-in, the vision of the school, and know what that school needs—[these are] are some of the biggest factors in making a partnership work.”
The college recently established the “RBC Excellence in Education Champions” to recognize its dedicated high school partners who have gone above and beyond to support the Dual Enrollment program and its students.
The honorees are as follows: Jeffrey Witt of Prince George High School received “Dual Enrollment Teacher of the Year,” Tre Walker of Petersburg High School received “Financial Aid Advocate of the Year,” Janice Walker of Cristo Rey Richmond High School received “New Partner of the Year,” and Jeremiah Camp of Richmond High School for the Arts received “Counselor of the Year.”
Click here to learn more about the Dual Enrollment program.
