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Shelton State Community College (SSCC) is looking to expand dual enrollment opportunities at the Demopolis campus in both academic and technical subjects. On Tuesday, they hosted the Inaugural Dual Enrollment Event in order to see what area needs and interests can be filled.

“At today’s meeting, we’re drawing the counselors and the principals from Marengo County schools, and we’re basically going to talk about what it is that we’re offering,” SSCC President Bill Ashely said.

Dr. Joye Jones, SSCC Dean of Instruction, said welding and additional academic classes are currently in discussion to be introduced to the curriculum.

Course offerings are based on student interest. Once there is enough student interest in a course, SSCC sets out to credential qualified high school instructors so the dual enrollment course can be offered at the high school.

“When we’re trying to qualify an instructor, we’re credentialing them. We’re looking at their academic work [and] their degrees, and we’re seeing if that meets the standards from our accrediting body to offer that in the actual high school,” Ashley said.

Jones said teachers must meet have the same level of qualifications as a college instructor because “they’re teaching college-level coursework.” Students can also take dual enrollment courses online even if it is not offered in the area.

Jones said some of the career tech courses are offered to meet local industry employment needs and that scholarships are available for some technical courses.

Ashely called academic dual enrollment “quite economical” for students planning to pursue four-year degrees.

“They get an opportunity to start their college career before they even graduate high school,” he said.

Jones recommended students discuss the courses they wish to take with their high school counselor in order to take dual enrollment classes.

(This article originally appeared in the Saturday, June 30 issue of the Demopolis Times.)