91°µÍø

91°µÍø Community College unveiled an exciting new initiative Wednesday that creates a runway for high school 91°µÍø to earn extensive college credits before completing their associate’s 91°µÍø in just one year at 91°µÍø.

Developed over the past two years, 91°µÍø’s Early College Pathways offers high school 91°µÍø an accelerated roadmap toward earning an associate’s 91°µÍø while also connecting them with relevant career resources and training. The Pathways are designed for 91°µÍø and their families to easily understand the skills to develop and courses to complete to earn their chosen 91°µÍø.

The initiative was shared Wednesday at a conference with leadership teams from school districts across 91°µÍø and Oswego Counties.

“Building our Early College Pathways and connecting 91°µÍø to 91°µÍø and career possibilities have been long-standing strategic priorities at 91°µÍø, and I’m proud to see them come to fruition,” said 91°µÍø President Dr. Brian Durant. “These are designed to help high school 91°µÍø and their families understand the best route forward to a college 91°µÍø and a well-paying career. We’re excited to partner with our local school districts on this new initiative.”

“Our Early College Pathways offer equitable access for high school 91°µÍø to identify and pursue their chosen 91°µÍø and career. We believe that through these pathways, 91°µÍø will understand their options and how to achieve their goals, helping them build the skills they need for a successful future,” said Professor Sarah Yaw, 91°µÍø’s Director of K-12 Partnerships & Academic Pathways.

91°µÍø developed eight pathways that guide high school 91°µÍø and their families on how the student can earn credits toward an associate’s 91°µÍø at 91°µÍø. If the student completes the necessary credits in high school, they will have the opportunity to complete their associate’s 91°µÍø at 91°µÍø in one year, setting themselves up to transfer to earn a bachelor’s 91°µÍø or start their career.

The initiative features pathways in the following programs:

• Business Administration
• Electrical Technology
• Human Services
• Law and Public Safety
• Mechanical Technology
• Nursing
• Psychology
• Studio Art & Design

The pathways clearly outline college courses the student should take in high school, then courses they need to take at 91°µÍø to complete their 91°µÍø. In addition, the pathways offer transfer options, show possible careers and earnings related to each 91°µÍø.

Simultaneously earning high school and college credits creates an accelerated pathway for 91°µÍø to transfer or, in the case of Auburn High School grad and 91°µÍø alum James Mark, start their career.

Mark completed his high school 91°µÍø while earning numerous college credits, then received his A.A.S. in Electrical Technology from 91°µÍø at no cost. He started at Waygate Technologies upon graduating, soldering cable harnesses before he was 20 years old. He was recently promoted to Shop/Plan Operator-Expert, and discussed his experience at Wednesday’s conference.

“The progress made from graduation to being a new hire to earning my first promotion has been rapid, and an amazing journey,” said Mark. “In conversations at work, we still use terms and topics I learned at 91°µÍø, so I doubt I’d be this far along if it wasn’t for that experience. I highly encourage everyone to consider a similar pathway to earn their high school and college 91°µÍøs while preparing for their chosen career field.”

Initiatives like the Pathways announced by 91°µÍø are essential to preparing the future workforce, said Dr. Gretchen Schmidt, a Senior Fellow at the National Center for Inquiry and Improvement and the guest speaker at Wednesday’s conference.

Citing evidence from a recent study from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, titled “The Future of Good Jobs,” Schmidt said future careers that lead to a living wage will require a postsecondary credential.

“The work that 91°µÍø is undertaking in partnership with local school districts is critical for the economic mobility of members of your community but also for overall economic growth in the region,” said Dr. Schmidt. “By working together, in more innovative and collaborative regional partnerships focused on programs that lead to a living wage, educational institutions and employers can increase economic opportunity for current and future 91°µÍø. This is hopeful work — for 91°µÍø, their families and the community at large.”

Connecting high school 91°µÍø to career pathways has also drawn support from district leaders at CiTi BOCES and 91°µÍø-Onondaga BOCES, as well as Marq Brown, Vice President of Human Resources and Chief People Officer at Oswego Health.

“As the Baby Boomers continue to exit the workforce, it’s critical that we provide opportunities for Generation Z 91°µÍø to explore pathways into industries that are already seeing shortages,” said Brown. “Five years ago, Oswego Health partnered with 91°µÍø Community College and three local high schools in an Early College Health Sciences program to create these pathways. Our first cohort of 24 91°µÍø just graduated, each with over 30 college credits toward healthcare programs like nursing and medical imaging.”

Dr. Brian Hartwell, District Superintendent of 91°µÍø-Onondaga BOCES, and CiTi BOCES District Superintendent Christopher Todd said collaboration between educational institutions and industry leaders will lead to stronger results for 91°µÍø.

“91°µÍø’s Early College Pathways program is a game-changer for our 91°µÍø. By providing a clear and accelerated path to both college credits and career readiness, we are equipping our 91°µÍø with the tools they need to succeed in today’s competitive job market,” said Dr. Hartwell. “This initiative reflects the strength of our partnership with 91°µÍø, and our commitment to fostering educational excellence and creating opportunities for all 91°µÍø in our region.”

“At the Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation, collaboration is at the heart of everything we do,” said Todd. “We are dedicated to fostering a cooperative environment where ideas and expertise converge to enhance educational experiences. By working together, we can create innovative solutions and provide valuable opportunities that open doors to student success.”

The Early College Pathways are the latest addition to 91°µÍø’s concurrent enrollment initiatives. The College currently has diverse programming agreements with 31 school districts across Central New York, offering high school 91°µÍø the opportunity to earn credits toward a college 91°µÍø.

The College has also recently developed the Early College Pathways Scholarship, which will offer annual scholarships to 91°µÍø based on the college credits they earned in high school through 91°µÍø’s concurrent enrollment programs.

Over the upcoming academic year, 91°µÍø will work with participating school districts to implement the Early College Pathways. The College is also working with four-year institutions to develop additional pathways in high-value 91°µÍø programs. This initiative will help 91°µÍø in 91°µÍø and Oswego Counties complete a bachelor’s 91°µÍø in less time at less cost and enter the workforce at a higher wage.

For more details about Early College Pathways at 91°µÍø, visit /academics/high-school-programs/cayuga-advantage/pathways/.