2008 Woodie Awards
ISU Early College Program grows much in four year span; new coordinator hired
Alexandra Meiners ; Mass Communications Student
Issue date: 3/30/05 Section: News
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ISU's Early College Program has seen a nearly eightfold increase in four years. Because of the increase, ISU hired a new coordinator for the program at the beginning of the spring 2005 semester.
"The program has grown tremendously each semester," said Melisa Moon, who started running the program when it was a pilot in 2001.
Moon is now an adviser with the program, working only with the four Idaho Falls high schools. Barbara Bishop is the new coordinator of the early college program.
The program benefits ISU by giving high school students the ability to see what college classes are like before they enroll as degree-seeking students, Bishop said.
Wendy Ruiz a freshman nursing student from Rigby High School entered ISU with 12 credits.
"College doesn't seem so overwhelming knowing I already had some of the general education requirements completed," she said.
Students' who are part of the program are counted in ISU's student population. They receive a Bengal card and ID number when they register. They are allowed to use certain ISU facilities, such as Reed Gym, the library and get a discount at the Pond Student Union movie theater.
"This is a good recruiting tool," Bishop said. "The students can see if ISU is a good fit by coming for a campus visit."
Program classes satisfy most ISU goals, and most general requirements from other universities. This helps students obtain college credit before they enroll in an institution.
"There is so much pressure to finish in four years," Bishop said. "This allows students to get some credits finished before they enter college as a regular, degree-seeking student."
Robyn Croft, journalism teacher at Highland High School and who teaches English 101
and 110, said that some students can get enough credits to be nearly a year ahead before going to college.
"This can conceivably give students a year's jump, especially if they take English, biology and math," Croft said.
"The program has grown tremendously each semester," said Melisa Moon, who started running the program when it was a pilot in 2001.
Moon is now an adviser with the program, working only with the four Idaho Falls high schools. Barbara Bishop is the new coordinator of the early college program.
The program benefits ISU by giving high school students the ability to see what college classes are like before they enroll as degree-seeking students, Bishop said.
Wendy Ruiz a freshman nursing student from Rigby High School entered ISU with 12 credits.
"College doesn't seem so overwhelming knowing I already had some of the general education requirements completed," she said.
Students' who are part of the program are counted in ISU's student population. They receive a Bengal card and ID number when they register. They are allowed to use certain ISU facilities, such as Reed Gym, the library and get a discount at the Pond Student Union movie theater.
"This is a good recruiting tool," Bishop said. "The students can see if ISU is a good fit by coming for a campus visit."
Program classes satisfy most ISU goals, and most general requirements from other universities. This helps students obtain college credit before they enroll in an institution.
"There is so much pressure to finish in four years," Bishop said. "This allows students to get some credits finished before they enter college as a regular, degree-seeking student."
Robyn Croft, journalism teacher at Highland High School and who teaches English 101
and 110, said that some students can get enough credits to be nearly a year ahead before going to college.
"This can conceivably give students a year's jump, especially if they take English, biology and math," Croft said.