IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 09-14-06 CONTACT: PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

SILVER CITY - Students hoping to further their studies while still in high school can find an avenue through the concurrent student program at Western New Mexico University.  Each Fall and Spring semester students from Silver and Cobre High Schools, as well as other southwestern New Mexico high schools, choose to enroll at one of WNMU’s campuses.  Mostly juniors and seniors, the more than 100 students from Cobre and Silver High currently enrolled at WNMU are taking courses such as Calculus and Psychology among others. 

            WNMU offers these students an opportunity to fulfill high school credits with college courses.  Serving as advanced placement-type classes, students can also choose to receive college or co-op credit.

            Concurrent students do not have to pay tuition, only registration and class related fees. 

            Dan Tressler, WNMU Admissions Director, says that concurrent students are accounted for on the admissions numbers the school releases each year.  He adds that most high schools take advantage of this opportunity because it offers their students a taste of college life and lets those looking for a challenge find it in the university classroom.  “Many students take classes here that fill a void in their high school,” added Tressler.

The Admissions office does not put much of its recruitment muscle into this group of students, but does recognize that concurrent students at WNMU are more likely to continue their higher education at the same institution they previously enrolled with while in high school.

The process is initiated by the high school counselor who sits down with the prospective concurrent student and discusses what courses are most appealing to him.  The counselor then suggests what class options will serve as enhancements to the student’s soon to be completed high school experience. 

            Cobre High School counselor Edward Pena closely works with the 20 concurrent students at his school.  Pena says that his students must meet certain qualifications before they can sign up for a class at WNMU while still in high school.  He views the concurrent student program as an enhancement not a bypass program.  Cobre students wishing to become concurrent students must have taken certain classes at their high school that serve as prerequisites for those they wish to enroll in at WNMU.  “Students must have maxed out their regular classes before enrolling at the university,” said Pena. 

            Other students choose to enroll in classes that give them a jump into their college life.  Priscilla Lopez, WNMU student, began taking college courses while still in high school.  Lopez says that she enrolled in classes that she felt would give her a head start into her college career. 

            There are also concurrent student opportunities for those in high schools outside of Grant County.  More than two dozen concurrent students are enrolled at both the Deming and Truth or Consequences extended university campuses.  High school students interested in becoming a concurrent student at any of the WNMU campuses should meet with their respective counselor.

            Whatever path the high school students take, they ultimately meet with WNMU Admissions Director Dan Tressler.  He convenes a final meeting with the students and their parents to make sure that the decision is in the best interest of the student.  Concurrent students can enroll in classes once all discussions have taken place. 

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PHOTO CAPTION--Pictured is Western New Mexico University Instructor David Baker explaining the photo editing process to Josh Sievers, a freshman at the Aldo Leopold Charter School.  Sievers is a concurrent student enrolled in the university level Photoshop course this semester at WNMU.

 

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