The purpose of Huskins cooperative programs is to provide high school students with enrichment opportunities in college level academic, technical, and advanced vocational courses not otherwise available to them.

Through Huskins and concurrent enrollment, local high schools and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College can provide an uninterrupted educational flow from a high school into a community college program. These articulated programs enable students to take courses at a community college while in high school and earn credit at both.

In 1995 Rowan-Cabarrus Community college entered into a Cooperative High School Partnership (Huskins Program) with Cabarrus County Schools. That year, 75 students participated in the program. In 1998 Rowan-Salisbury Schools and A.L. Brown High in Kannapolis joined in the partnership.

Today, the Huskins Program enrolls over 300 students from 10 high schools and three school systems. This year has seen accelerated growth from Rowan-Salisbury Schools, with over 50 students representing all high schools.

What has caused the growth? The Huskins Program was jointly designed by Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and Rowan-Salisbury Schools. This innovative approach allows students to register for college level courses designed specifically for workforce preparedness. Eight “Huskins Academies” have been organized to allow students to take college level courses in Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration; Automotive Technology; Computer Installation, Maintenance, and Repair; Cosmetology; Electrical Technology; Hotel and Restaurant Management; Machining Technology; and Welding.

What are the benefits of Huskins programs for students and parents? It allows high school students who are least 16 years old to take college level courses and receive college credit and high school credit. There is no tuition cost for the student. College textbooks are provided by the Rowan-Salisbury Schools. Students pay only accident insurance and applicable course fees.

Since tuition is waived, parents benefit. For instance, in the Automotive Academy, tuition costs would normally be $750 for the two semester program. The cost of textbooks would be over $150. Gary Bigelow, Program Head for Automotive Technology, indicates that a student beginning in the Huskins Program and finishing the diploma program can earn between $28,000 and $30,000 the first year after graduation.

Similar earnings potentials and tuition and textbook savings are available in the other areas of study.

Huskins academic offerings are also available within the college Transfer Program. They include Sociology, General Psychology, World Civilization, Statistics I, General Biology, Introduction to Computers, Principals of Microeconomics, Expository Writing, Precalculus, and Introduction to Political Science.

Who is eligible? The Huskins Bill authorizes programs for “qualified high school students.” This is defined as students in grades nine through 12 who have achieved a level of academic and social maturity necessary to perform successfully in college credit courses and who have also been recommended by their principal. Students must be 16 years of age, secure approval of their school guidance counselor, complete RCCC’s admissions application and submit a high school transcript, complete a RCCC registration form, and take the RCCC ASSET placement test, which measures a student’s verbal, reading, and math skills.

After all application materials have been received by RCCC, the Huskins coordinator, in conjunction with the program head for each academy, makes an evaluation. Students who have been accepted into the program are notified by their high school Career Development Coordinator or their guidance counselor and by letter from the college.

All high school counselors have information regarding the Huskins program and the course schedule for next year.

The Dual Enrollment program is somewhat different from Huskins, although some of the same rules apply. Qualified high school students are permitted to enroll in regularly scheduled college credit courses and earn both high school and college credit concurrently.

Applicants must be at least 16, and must be recommended by the chief administrative public school officer and approved by the community college president. The principal must certify the student is taking at least three high school courses in a traditional school and two in a block school and is making appropriate progress toward graduation. The student must take RCCC’s ASSET placement test and do the necessary paperwork described above in Huskins. High school students are exempt from paying tuition in the curriculum division at the community college; however, they are required to buy books and pay fees.

Students may see their school counselor for additional information or call Kenny Hayes at RCCC (637-0760).