SHREVEPORT – LSUS’s early college programs in which high school students earn college credit play a significant role in launching successful college careers.
On Monday, LSUS equipped its dual enrollment instructors to continue serving a growing student population with a professional development day on campus.
LSUS set a program record with 453 early college students enrolled this past spring, and dual enrollment students who continue their college careers at LSUS are reaping the academic awards.
Students from the Fall 2022 and Fall 2023 cohorts achieved at least a 3.0 GPA cumulative with the former group posting an impressive 3.51 in their first two years on campus.
“Thank you for partnering with us in this really important area of college education,” LSUS Chancellor Dr. Robert Smith told the group of dual enrollment instructors. “Dual enrollment in Louisiana and around the country is an incredibly important opportunity to help students get a leg up in college, and at the same time, prove to them while they are in high school that they can do college.
“You’re in a unique position because you’re a familiar face and teacher in a familiar environment for them, yet you’re challenging them in ways they have not been challenged before. That’s going to prepare them for what lies beyond.”
While research supports the academic benefits of early college programs, one area in which dual enrollment students measured on par with their high school counterparts is being prepared to transition to college and campus life.
Dr. Elisabeth Liebert, Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and academic director of the early college programs, aimed to emphasize LSUS’s wraparound services during Monday’s professional development.
“We’re showcasing student support services so dual enrollment students can develop key transition knowledge and skills when they get to a college campus,” Liebert said. “Dual enrollment students are college students and are entitled to have the access and the knowledge to use all of our resources.
“A professor may see that a student has completed a certain number of college hours and make assumptions about a student’s knowledge concerning how college works. We want to make sure that our dual enrollment students are being exposed to these areas.”
Instructors listened to presentations from staff at the Noel Memorial Library, the Student Success Center, Counseling Services, Career Services, Academic Advising and Financial Aid.
By participating in the professional development, instructors can better prepare students for how college operates outside of the classroom.
While most instructors present taught math and English courses, other disciplines were represented, including physics, history, foreign languages, and theatre.
“We’re so glad you’re part of this hugely important pipeline that helps our high school students understand about college and start down a successful path in college,” said Dr. Helen Taylor, LSUS Provost.
