Dual Enrollment Student Thrives at Wallace-Dothan During Senior Year

Matt Boster

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Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: May 04 2016 7:09 AM

Dothan, Ala. – When Alex Griffin stepped foot on the Wallace Community College-Dothan campus for the Miss National Peanut Festival Queens Day last June it was just the beginning of her relationship with WCCD. In August, the 2015 Miss Headland and National Peanut Festival Pageant runner-up would become a dual enrollment student, taking college courses on campus.

 

“I learned about dual enrollment from my friends last year and from my guidance counselor,” said the Headland High School senior. “My friends were in the same classes at Wallace so it was like having our own study group.” High schoolers who take dual enrollment classes get a taste of college life while still at home. “I like the sense of freedom it gives me, and you learn responsibility to rely on yourself,” she said. “I enjoy the independence. It has helped me become a better student.” In two semesters, she has completed five classes, two in the fall and three this semester including English 101 and 102, Art 100, Biology 103, and Math 112.

 

Alex said the instructional support and resources at WCCD have smoothed the transition from the high school classroom to college. “The library and computer labs have helped. I don’t have a printer at home, so the print card comes in handy. I was nervous about the instructors and what to expect, but they have really helped with my schoolwork and writing essays.”

 

Taking classes with college students has been easy, according to Alex. “You can’t tell who is a dual enrolled student in the classroom and who isn’t. I’m just another college student.” 

 

She was academically prepared to take classes at WCCD. She took advanced classes in high school, and already had the credits to graduate when she began dual enrollment classes. Her parents have been very supportive of her plans and felt that it would be a good opportunity. “Being able to take college courses now is putting me ahead in my college career,” she said. “As a high school senior, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

 

Alex remains busy when she’s not taking classes at WCCD. She babysits for extra money and, while she doesn’t play sports, her younger brother plays baseball and she provides a little taxi service.

 

She intends to graduate from WCCD and transfer to the University of Alabama and to eventually attend law school.

Headland High School senior Alex Griffin has completed five courses at Wallace Community College on campus as a dual enrollment student. Griffin was the 2015 Miss Headland and runner-up in the National Peanut Festival Pageant last fall. She intends to graduate from WCCD and transfer to the University of Alabama and to eventually attend law school.

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