Crownpoint, NM – Higher education institutions across the nation are seeing an increase in high school students attending colleges or universities with accessibility through dual credit programs or college readiness academies. Jarod Reidhead, a high school junior at Crownpoint High School, is attending Navajo Technical University’s main campus through the Gallup McKinley Academy and is on track to earn an associate’s degree in General Studies when he obtains his high school diploma in 2021.
“Attending college at NTU is a great experience for me as a high school student. I’m planning on getting an associate degree so that I am two years ahead when I get out of high school,” said Reidhead in discussing his goal of becoming an anesthesiologist. “[Anesthesiology] is going to require a lot of schooling and two years under my belt is going to help me out a lot, especially with the cost.”
Reidhead is taking 13 credit hours this semester qualifying him as a full-time student. His schedule consists of two online courses in English 110 and History 211, as well as two face-to-face courses in Math 123 and Navajo 211. Reidhead is not attending any classes at Crownpoint High this semester, but he is required to pass his college courses with a grade of a C or better in order to earn the credits toward his degree and diploma.
Reidhead has not yet selected a college or university he would like to attend to pursue his career goals, but he is intent on keeping his options open. The first career path he selected was to become an oral surgeon, but was not enthusiastic about the business aspect of the profession which led him to choosing the alternative.
“My father told me to not make the same mistake he did by passing on an opportunity,” Reidhead stated in his explanation of selecting a college or university. “I’m keeping those options open because it will only limit my chances of getting into a good school.”
NTU currently has 634 students enrolled in dual credit courses, nearly 200 more students from the previous fall semester. Of the 634 students, 418 reside in New Mexico representing 18 different high schools. In Arizona, 216 are enrolled in dual credit courses representing eight different schools. In addition to the 26 high schools NTU currently has an articulation agreement in place, NTU is also working on developing partnerships with Rehoboth Christian High School in New Mexico and St. Michaels High School in Arizona.
To learn more about the academy or the dual credit program at Navajo Technical University, contact Freda Joe at fjoe@navajotech.edu or call (505) 786-4100.