NACC students who complete the dual degree program receive high school and college diplomas.

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Wednesday, July 03, 2024 11:10 AM

An impressive fourteen dual enrollment students at Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) earned their high school and college degrees this spring. These students represent several local schools throughout NACC’s service area.
This year’s dual school graduates are: Karen Garcia Alvarez and Julie Hawkins of Sylvania School; Gracie Griggs of Collinsville High School; Weston Hamilton of Fort Payne High School; Cogan McCutchen, Natalie Pope and Jacob Stringer of Section High School; Kaina King, Brinlee Potts and Jayla Ross of Skyline High School; Beau Taylor of Plainview High School; Leanna Robertson of Woodville High School; Katie Randles of Kate Duncan Smith DAR School; and Maggie Willey of Alabama Virtual Academy.

“We are very proud of these students, and I know their high schools are as well,” said NACC President Dr. David Campbell. “They are excellent students, and graduating from college early will give them a head start on their careers. In addition to saving time, these students have saved themselves and their families a significant portion of the cost of their education.”

Maggie Willey is a recent graduate of Alabama Virtual Academy. She earned an Associate in Science: Pre-Pharmacy from NACC and will attend pharmacy school in the fall at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, where she has received an $84,000 scholarship.

Karen Garcia Alvarez graduated from Sylvania High School. This year she earned an Associate in Science: Pre-Nursing transfer degree from Northeast.

Julie Hawkins graduated from Sylvania High School and last month earned her Associate in Science: Pre-Nursing from NACC. Through NACC’s Dual Enrollment Program, Julie was able to earn her EKG Technician and STC Patient Care Technician certifications.

Natalie Pope graduated from Section High School and earned an Associate in Science: Pre-Medicine from NACC. Natalie plans to attend the University of Alabama in the fall and will major in Biology/Pre-Med. She has received several scholarships from the UA.

Kaina King graduated from Skyline High School and earned her Associate in Science: Pre-Nursing from NACC. She plans to attend UAH this fall where she will play basketball and has been accepted to study nursing! Kaina wants to continue her education to become a CRNA.

Gracie Griggs graduated from Collinsville High School and earned an Associate in Science: Pre-Nursing Transfer from NACC. She plans to study nursing at the University of Alabama this fall. Gracie has received several scholarships, including the DeKalb County Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship, the University of Alabama Prestige Scholarship, and the Nucor Foundation Scholarship.

Brinlee Potts graduated from Skyline High School and earned an Associate in Science: Pre-Nursing from Northeast. She plans to continue her education in nursing and will attend Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions at the University of North Alabama in the fall.

Leanna Robertson graduated from Woodville High School and earned an Associate of Science: Elementary Education from NACC. This fall, she plans to transfer to Athens State University to pursue her bachelor’s and master’s degrees and become an elementary school teacher.

Jayla Ross graduated from Skyline High School and earned an Associate in Science: Pre-Nursing from NACC. She will attend the Capstone College of Nursing at the University of Alabama on a full academic scholarship.

Jacob Stringer graduated from Section High School and earned an Associate in Science: Biomedical Sciences from Northeast. He will attend Auburn University to study physical therapy with plans to eventually open his own practice. Jacob has also received several scholarships, including the All Auburn Leadership Scholarship and the Spirit of Auburn Founders Scholarship.

Beau Taylor earned his Associate in Science: Pre-Medicine Transfer from NACC and graduated from Plainview High School this year. He plans to attend Belmont University to pursue a medical degree.

Cogan McCutchen graduated from Section High School and earned an Associate in Science: Pre-Veterinary Medicine from NACC. He will attend Auburn University in the fall and plans to specialize in poultry science while earning a degree in veterinary medicine. He also plans to take transition classes at NACC while attending Auburn.

Weston Hamilton is a graduate of Fort Payne High School and this year earned an Associate in Science: Pre-Physician Assistant from NACC. He will pursue a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology, after the Pre-Medicine program, at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville.

Katie Randles graduated from the Kate Duncan Smith DAR School and also earned an Associate of Science: Pre-Nursing from NACC. Katie plans to complete the NACC + UAH Dual Nursing Program.

NACC Dual Enrollment Coordinator Staci Miller is so proud to see these students achieve this accomplishment. “Dual graduates are always a special group of students to me. I get to watch them grow in their studies and push themselves to achieve their goals. Their drive, determination and determination are extraordinary and admirable. I am so proud of what they are accomplishing both at NACC and in their high schools. Each one of these students is special. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for each of them,” said Miller.

Northeast’s Dual Enrollment Program allows high school students to enroll at Northeast and earn credit toward a high school diploma and an associate’s degree at a postsecondary institution. The Dual Enrollment Program is open to all students who meet the requirements outlined in the NACC catalog or online at nacc.edu.

“We are now seeing high school students achieve more than ever before through dual enrollment,” said Jeff Hawes, NACC dean of students. “The opportunities these students have to thrive are limitless, and we are proud of their hard work, dedication and determination.”

Dual Enrollment enhances course options and academic rigor for high school students. This program shortens the time to earn a college degree and provides students with transferable college credits. Grades earned under dual enrollment become part of a student’s permanent high school and college transcripts.