“We have a unique perspective in working with our dual enrollment students,” said Brooke Jaramillo, executive director of high school services at Wiregrass Tech. “Many of our students never thought college was a possibility. Then we see them taking a few classes, and with support from their high school counselors and Wiregrass teachers, they begin to succeed, and they know they can do it. We also work with top students who know college is their next step. They also appreciate getting their first taste of college with a lot of support.” Opportunities and Access Wiregrass Georgia Technical College provides dual enrollment programs to 21 public and private high schools in its 11-county service region. With courses offered on all four campuses, at participating high schools, and online, Wiregrass Tech served 1,488 dual enrollment students during fall 2017. Coffee County High School had the highest number of dual enrolled students with 223, followed by Fitzgerald High School with 183 students. Jaramillo said one of the goals of dual enrollment is to help high school students get excited about college and discover their options. “Sometimes, we work with students who are about to drop out of high school; maybe they are burned out or have no more interest in school,” Jaramillo said. “By offering classes on the high school campus, we can get them in a welding, automotive, or nursing class. When they see the options, they get excited and motivated to do more.” Brooke Jaramillo Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Jamie Bird, Valdosta State University dual enrollment coordinator, worked closely with Alana Hiers as she transitioned from a dual enrollment student to full-time student. We have a unique perspective in working with our dual enrollment students. Many of our students never thought college was a possibility. Then we see them taking a few classes, and with support from their high school counselors and Wiregrass teachers, they begin to succeed, and they know they can do it. - Brooke Jaramillo 22 S G M A G A Z I N E | W I N T E R 2 0 1 7 - 2 0 1 8