Richland Community College, Decatur – Three students will soon find themselves graduating from Richland Community College and their high schools at the same time. Levi Neaveill and Mason McNamara, both from Cerro Gordo High School, and Connor Sphar, Mt. Zion High School, have balanced two schools, work, extracurricular activities, and their personal priorities to accomplish this amazing goal.
Levi and Mason are part of Richland’s Transfer Academy. The Transfer Academy was developed to accelerate and facilitate completion for students interested in fast-tracking a bachelor’s degree, using a dual credit concept. The Transfer Academy allows part-time students to complete the General Education Core Curriculum credential in four semesters.
High school students interested in Richland’s Transfer Academy can choose from a morning schedule or an afternoon schedule taking 3 courses (9-11 credit hours/semester). They attend class with other Richland students and Richland faculty provide instruction. Richland works closely with the students and their high school to assure the college classes also apply toward their high school credits for graduation. Each student’s academic transfer plan is developed to meet individual personal academic goals.
According to Cathy Sebok, Director of Admissions and Recruitment, “High school students who rank above average in academic achievement may enroll in selected transfer classes at the Richland Transfer Academy and receive both college credit and high school credit.”
Connor attended Richland and earned dual credit in order to save money and time. “It was a huge benefit for me to go to Richland instead of a university for those first two years.”
A challenging adventure, but one with great benefits:
Mason admitted that this journey has been challenging but amazing. “It’s been a really good opportunity. The Transfer Academy has really given me the opportunity to get in the university I want, and I’ve already made a lot of good connections at my transfer university because of this experience.”
Mason worked part time, took 12-14 credit hours per semester at Richland, and juggled extracurricular activities including high school theatre. “It’s been good practice for the future. I didn’t think I would earn an associate’s degree so fast. It saved me $100,000!”
Levi juggled football, track, basketball, and band while attending both schools. He also took part in Model United Nations, chess club, and high school theatre. “I wanted to attend Richland to take more rigorous and challenging classes,” he said. “Professors like Larry Klugman helped me push myself. He was my favorite,” he added.
In addition, Levi admits that his advisor, Cathy Sebok, encouraged him to get started, “She helped me, by far, the most. I tell other students to go for it and meet with a Richland advisor.”
The future is bright for these Richland graduates:
Mason will be attending Baylor University in Texas in August, majoring in neuroscience on a pre-med track. He has big dreams of going to Johns Hopkins University, and possibly moving to a third-world country, practicing medicine, most notably pediatric reconstructive surgery.
Mason credits Jill Feinstein, his anatomy professor, for preparing him well for his future at Baylor. “If I didn’t take that class, I wouldn’t be able to go down there and start ahead of everyone else. She is one of my favorite professors.”
Levi has been accepted to the University of Illinois College of Business and is currently on a waitlist for the University of Pennsylvania. He will double major in Finance and Economics.
“I always wanted to attend an Ivy League school. This experience has made me realize what I can accomplish,” Levi explained.
Connor plans to attend the University of Colorado, Boulder, to study chemistry.
They wouldn’t change a thing:
All three agree that any determined student won’t regret making the decision to pursue college credits at Richland while in high school. They all feel that saving time and money is vital in today’s educational climate.
“Graduating from college and graduating from high school at the same time is such a great opportunity. It is really rewarding to be able to know you have taken rigorous college classes as a high school student. In the end, it’s something you can be proud that you have accomplished,” added Levi.
“I don’t think I would change anything all. I can’t believe how much money I saved,” said Mason.
“Be sure of what you want to do because it is demanding, but if you’re determined to do it, then it is definitely worth it,” added Connor.