KINGSVILLE (April 12, 2024) — Fruitful relationships with regional school districts and the offering of the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) Program have led the way in cultivating success for Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s (TAMUK) dual enrollment program in recent months.
The program experienced a 99% enrollment increase in the Fall of 2023 and currently is involved with partnerships with 15 high school districts throughout the region.
Partnerships are rooted in consistent collaboration and open communication, as the program features a wide range of modalities, including online courses, courses taught at the high school, and on-campus courses offered here at the university
“The opportunity to contribute to a student’s academic journey and personal growth is a privilege that we do not take lightly,” Texas A&M-Kingsville’s Director of Dual Enrollment Miranda Joiner said. “The program’s success is dependent on our exchange of resources, expertise, and shared goals to ensure a proactive approach to meeting the evolving needs of our students.”
“We take great pride in extending the opportunity for students to participate in our dual enrollment program,” Joiner added. “It is truly an honor to be in collaboration with our partners to collectively provide pathways and a platform for the academic and personal growth of our students.”
The University currently partners with:
- Benavides ISD
- Bishop CISD
- Brooks County ISD
- Charming Acres Academy
- Excelsior Home Academy
- Kingsville ISD
- Premont ISD
- Presbyterian Pan American School
- Riviera ISD
- Salbe Pines Academy
- San Diego ISD
- Santa Gertrudis ISD
- School of Science and Technology
- Taft ISD
- Tuloso-Midway ISD
“Offering partner school districts with an opportunity for their students to take our courses is a point of pride for us,” Vice president of Enrollment Management Dr. Rosalind Alderman said. “Not only do the districts benefit from what we can offer, the students gain a different understanding of what college is all about. Their success in these courses provides them with confidence of what all they can achieve in high school and beyond."
The FAST Program has also been a principal factor in the program’s recent uptick in enrollment, as it provides institutions of higher education funding to help educationally disadvantaged students receive dual credit opportunities.
According to the Texas Education Code (TEC) “educationally disadvantaged” is defined as “students eligible for the national free/reduced-price lunch program.”
Students meeting that requirement in any of the four school years prior to the academic year in which the student is enrolled in the eligible dual credit course may be eligible for the FAST program.
A dual enrollment student is eligible under the FAST program if they:
- are enrolled in an eligible dual credit course at a public-school district or charter school (i.e., eligible for Foundation School Program funding); and
- are taking a course offered through an institutional agreement, as outlined in TAC, Section 4.84, from an institution of higher education that has opted to participate in FAST; and
- were qualified for free/reduced-price lunch in any of the four school years prior to the academic year in which they enroll in the dual credit course.
Of the current students enrolled in the dual enrollment program at TAMUK, nearly 63 percent were determined to be eligible for the FAST program.
The Office of Dual Enrollment’s efforts to work with new districts and find ways to create opportunities has been ongoing and have moved beyond just the utilization of the FAST program and partner participation.
“In November, through our partnership with Texas College and Career Readiness School Models our program was awarded a $50,000 grant from The Texas Education Agency and Communities Foundation of Texas – Educate Texas for our project ‘Enhancing the Dual Enrollment Experience through Support, Outreach, and Transition,’” Joiner said “This funding has supported our efforts as we continue to ensure that we are providing a quality program where students can excel and achieve their academic goals.”
“We look forward to welcoming new and returning students into our program for many years to come.”