Dual Enrollment LCCC Early College Success Story

Monday March 31st WBRE/WYOU/PAhomepage

By Mark Hiller

NANTICOKE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) High school seniors are counting down the months until graduation, but for one teenager, that countdown is two-fold.*

Not only will he earn a high school diploma, but also will receive an associate's degree.

Nathan Higgins loves to run. The Crestwood High School senior has excelled as a member of his school's cross-country and track teams.

"I've made states all three years I was varsity, and I medaled at districts twice in my most recent two years," Nathan explained.

Nathan is good at more than just running. The Mountain Top teen also excels in the classroom, and not just at Crestwood.

Nathan is a dual enrollment student who attends Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) working toward an associate's degree in accounting.

He first felt a pull toward analyzing numbers and data after taking an "accounting one" course at Crestwood.

When it became uncertain if the high school would offer an "accounting two" course, Nathan turned to plan B.

"So, I looked into taking accounting elsewhere. LCC is what lined up. I started taking classes here to do that," said Nathan.

Nathan has been able to take full-time college courses this year at LCCC since he is so far ahead of achieving his high school degree.

"So, kudos to Crestwood High School for giving him the flexibility to do this, to have this opportunity to be on our campus. So, he sits in a classrooms with our other accounting students and he's doing just fine," Professor Gary Mrozinski, chair at LCCC Business and Computer Information Systems Department, stated.

Mrozinski has taught Nathan two economics courses and another in management.

"He's one of our finest accounting students, and it just so happens he is a high school student," said Mrozinski.

Nathan will earn his associate's degree in accounting from LCCC, and then transfer to another college or university and pursue a bachelor's degree to become a certified public accountant.

Mrozinski has high hopes for Nathan's employment prospects and earning potential.

"So he's going to be just fine because he's going to be one of the best accounting students in his bachelor's degree program, I'm convinced of that," Mrozinski explained.

There is no denying Nathan is on the fast track. He encourages others to also attempt to cross that educational finish line early too.

"Make sure you schedule everything, look at what classes you want to take, and don't take no for an answer. If a guidance counselor tells you it's not going to work, you can make it work if you try hard enough," stated Nathan.

Nathan hopes to run in college if he can balance it with his college studies.

Here's to you, Nathan.