Arts and Sciences | Business and Industry | Health Education and Human Sciences | NewsJuly 23, 2024

Concurrent Enrollment at UAFS Sets Students Ahead

Written By: Ian Silvester

During the last academic year, more than 1,370 local high school juniors and seniors continued their path toward graduation while earning college credits toward certificates of proficiency or an associate degree. How were they able to do this? By taking concurrent courses at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith and the PEAK Innovation Center.

Ambitious students from eight counties and more than 20 school districts, spanning from Prairie Grove to Hot Springs, are enrolled in one of two concurrent programs, the Western Arkansas Technical Center (WATC) or Smart Start. Each program aims to allow high school students to earn college credit through general education courses or hands-on training in technical fields.

Although both tracks have a core goal of preparing those enrolled with a head start academically and in careers, there is a difference between WATC and Smart Start.

Since 1998, WATC has been where nearly 10,000 juniors and seniors learned necessary skills and made connections in the workplace. Through career-focused courses, WATC students leave the program with a knowledge base from some of the nation’s largest manufacturers and industry-leading partners. By the end of their senior year, students are equipped to accept a position related to their concurrent studies after completing an apprenticeship or continue their higher education pursuits with an associate degree in hand.

All at no cost to the student.

“The biggest benefit for students is that financial commitment, particularly if they have any kind of grad school in their future plans,” said Amanda Seidenzahl, who was named director of early college programs on July 1. “It’s really a scholarship back to the student if they look at it from that perspective.”

Over the course of her nearly 10 years working with concurrent programming at UAFS, Seidenzahl helped introduce computer integrated machining and network engineering to WATC’s programs. Students can now pick between eight program tracks ranging from automation and robotics to healthcare, like emergency response and nursing, to welding.

When asked about the impression Seidenzahl has made, UAFS College of Business and Industry dean, Dr. Latisha Settlage, wrote, “UAFS is fortunate to employ caring staff like Amanda (Seidenzahl) with early connections to UAFS and its programs.”

Students enrolled in Smart Start participate in a more traditional university sense. Courses like English Composition I and II, Intro to Speech, and College Algebra are taken for the same level of credit as those offered at UAFS.

Although these students take college-level classes, they are completed online, on-site at their respective high schools, or in a combination of both.

Smart Start students are expected to treat their coursework as degree-seeking students would – thinking, interacting, and learning at a high level. This concurrent program is open to high school juniors and seniors who have scored 19 or higher on an ACT or equivalent and maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA.

“Our goal is to impact the success of our students,” Seidenzahl said.

Whether it’s the companies that have invested time and resources to prepare students in the classroom for a place in the workforce or the students who have invested in themselves to further their education at UAFS or another university, concurrent programs are a proven success.

• Tags:
• Smart Start
• Concurrent Credit
• WATC