WAEM First of Kind Dual Enrollment Program Attracts HS Students

Row left from top: Gevona Ellis, Brandon Adams, Devonta Nash;
Row right from top: Robert Smith, Jessica Washington, LaQuinton Summerville

Everything from “it’s something different,” to “trying new stuff” and “I’m a hands on type person” …that is what seven teenagers from Columbus High School are saying about the historic step they are taking at East Mississippi Community College’s Golden Triangle Campus. These high school students are participating in a dual enrollment class for college credit.

“What makes this class unique,” says Bruce Hanson, “is that this class is the first of its kind in Mississippi in which high school students can earn college credit for a career-technical class in Industrial Maintenance Technology (IMT).” Hanson coordinates EMCC’s involvement in the West Alabama – East Mississippi (WAEM) WIRED Initiative.  Dual enrollment initiatives like this one are a key goal of the WAEM Initiative.

The dual enrollment students from Columbus High McKellar Vocational Center are getting a head start by taking this course along with Career Technical students enrolled in a two-year associate’s degree program. “We are preparing the next generation for the high-tech jobs of the future”, said Mike McCullough, EMCC Industrial Maintenance Instructor. “These seven students are the first among more than two dozen who applied to be included in this pilot program,’” he added.

In the Industrial Maintenance career field students learn to maintain the equipment and machinery which is used to manufacture most everything imaginable. With the growth of industry in the Golden Triangle Region, these young people will be able to enhance their opportunities for employment with companies who are competing in the Global marketplace right in their backyard, and, receive college credit too.  

East Mississippi Community College is one of eight community colleges in the WAEM Initiative. A major goal of WAEM WIRED is to grow a credentialed, competitive workforce...starting where possible with high school students.  Dual enrollment opportunities help achieve that goal.

EMCC has also partnered this year with Columbus High School in a unique entrepreneurship class designed to help students learn ways to start their own business.