Ask Danielle Martin, Academic Success Coordinator at Temple Harrisburg, what she finds most exciting about what she does and she will tell you it’s the students she works with.
“Our youth inspires me!” she said. “My calling is to connect, provide and make students aware of educational opportunities.”
Martin runs Temple Harrisburg’s Dual Enrollment Program, which offers local students the opportunity to study college-level courses while still enrolled in high school and, for some, helps spark an interest in teaching as a profession.
“Students are immersed in the college experience while still in high school. They discover their unique learning styles, master time management and learn to embrace challenges — all essential for their future success,” she said. “The courses offered are exploratory and are tailored to students who may have an interest in a teacher preparation pathway.”
The Dual Enrollment Program offers two courses. "Why Care About College? Higher Education in American Life," asks students to think about the vital role higher education plays in people’s lives, from shaping personal growth to future opportunities and societal impact. "Child Development, Birth to Nine," examines children's developmental stages from birth to early adolescence, encouraging students to consider the many ways people grow and evolve over time.
We spoke with Martin about how the program was developed, what it teaches and her hopes for its future. The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
What do you feel is the biggest benefit to students who participate in the Dual Enrollment Program?
“There are many ways students can benefit from dual enrollment. First, students are able to save time as they earn college credits while they are in high school. Second, students could save money. In some cases, dual enrollment courses are offered at an affordable or a discounted rate, saving them from paying full tuition costs as college students do. This reduces the amount of debt students can incur while in college. We recommend that dual enrollment students take general education courses. These courses are easily transferable and help the student get ahead academically. Overall, this is a great opportunity for students to be exposed to the expectations and demands of college and to learn something new.”
Can you describe the application and selection process for students interested in enrolling in the program?
“The College of Education and Human Development offers several general education courses that 11th and 12th grade students who meet entry criteria can take as a non-matriculated student. Students should be recommended by their high school counselor and will need to submit an application and high school transcript. They will also need to have a 3.0 GPA.”
What excites you most about teaching this program?
“I have a true passion for teaching and youth. I love that (my students) are getting exposed to life post-secondary, and they are getting a glimpse of what they might achieve. I love to see the ‘light bulb’ go off in my students' minds as we get deep in discussion about college access, hot topics in education and other educational opportunities. I can't wait to see how they apply the skills and lessons learned.”
How do you envision the future of Temple Harrisburg's Dual Enrollment Program, and what are your goals for its continued growth and success?
“I envision our dual enrollment program growing and being a top option for central Pennsylvania students. Our goals are to partner with more schools across the University in order to expand our offerings to local students; to continue to foster and nurture relationships with local school districts to offer their students a quality and rigorous education here at Temple University Harrisburg.”
Article by Linda Wismer.