Area high school students earn associate degrees from MPCC

Seven high school students will earn associate degrees from Mid-Plains Community College this year before receiving their high school diplomas.

The accomplishment comes after all of them successfully completed enough qualifying classes through MPCC’s early entry program.

Often referred to as concurrent enrollment or dual credit, early entry courses allow high school students to take college-level classes and earn credits toward both a high school diploma and a college degree simultaneously.

This year’s associate degree recipients and their high schools are:

• Brady High School – Zada Earll

• Broken Bow High School – Alexandria Morris

• North Platte High School – Shelby Steele

• Perkins County High School – Kaitlin Cook and Emma Klahn

• Sutherland High School – Glory Naughtin

• Valentine High School – Kaetryn Bancroft

“These graduates are great examples of high school students utilizing the expanded early entry offerings at Mid-Plains Community College to earn associate degrees,” said Kayla Thurman, director of Early Entry and Program Development at MPCC. “Early entry is more accessible to area students than ever before. They can enroll in classes online, at their high schools or attend in-person at any MPCC campus location. I would like to congratulate all the students on their achievements this year.”

Bancroft had the most college credits of the group with 66. She began taking dual credit classes, as well as classes strictly for college credit, as a sophomore in high school.

“I am really glad that I had the opportunity,” Bancroft said. “It will be easier for me in the long run. It will save me a lot of money, and I won’t have to worry about taking generals in college. I can focus on what I want to do.”

Bancroft’s long-term goal is to pursue a career in the field of accounting.

More information about MPCC’s early entry offerings can be found online at: mpcc.edu/admissions/early-entry-high-school-students.php.