Vernon College Celebrates
Results of Early Start program, nursing courses
By Lara K. Richards, Times Record News
May 15, 2008
Vernon College is celebrating the success of two of its programs.
Last week, the college recognized participants in its Early College Start program. ECS is a partnership between the college and 11 area high schools that allows juniors and seniors in high school to take coursework at the college.
Brenda Kays, dean of instructional services, said the program began 1-1/2 years ago and the first student completed classes in December. Four more students will finish with the program in May and another 8-10 students will wrap up this summer, she said.
ECS students spend afternoons during their junior and senior years on the Vernon campus. They receive between 24 and 30 hours of college credits, which qualifies them to receive a certificate of completion in a variety of fields including welding, industrial automation, HVAC, machining, computer and information sciences and health information technology.
“These individuals are getting marketable skills,” Kays said about the program. “Students can go directly into the workplace after graduating from high school. Of course, we hope they’ll continue with us and work for an associate’s degree or other specialized training.”
Participating high schools include Bright Ideas, Burkburnett, City View, Electra, Henrietta, Hirschi, Holliday, Iowa Park, Rider, Vernon and Wichita Falls.
Kays said she expects the program to continue growing in the near future.
“Our numbers increase every semester as well as the number of ISDs participating,” she said.
