Every parent’s dream is to see their child walk across the stage and receive their diploma. It’s probably considered one of the biggest milestones in anyone’s life. Another, is walking the stage to get a college degree. But what if you could do both at the same time?

That’s where Sampson Community College comes in.

The Career and College Promise program, also known as CCP, provides high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to get a jumpstart on a two-year or four-year degree while still in high school. Best of all, it’s tuition-free!

Perry Gillespie, the college’s Career and College Promise coordinator, says that the more parents find out about the program, the more students become enrolled in it.

“CCP has grown each and every semester here over the last few years and is getting more popular by the day,” he says. “This semester we had 309 CCP students. It’s really a win-win all the way around for the students and the parents who get to save money on tuition.”

Anna Starling, who found out about CCP through her high school counselors at Clinton High School, says not only has the program saved her family a lot of money but has also gotten her ahead of schedule for her future plans as well.

“I chose to take CCP courses because I wanted to prepare myself for a four year college this fall,” she says. “Taking college classes at SCC challenged me academically, while I was still able to enjoy extra-curricular high school activities with my friends. When I go to Campbell in the fall, I will not spend the first two years taking core classes, but instead, focus on my major.”

Starling will graduate high school in May with a diploma and an associate in arts degree.

“I am so proud of Anna for all the work she has put into obtaining her goal of earning her two-year degree and high school diploma and doing it in two years,” says Gillespie. “When Anna first told me that she wanted to finish both, I was a little skeptical; because our Early College students complete both in five years. But, she was able to complete both, and I am so proud of her accomplishments.”

Gillespie points out that there are possibly four other CCP students at SCC who will walk across the stage for their diplomas while at the same time walking away with their two year degree. Not everyone completes the program while in high school, most don’t. But either way, there are still more than 300 students who will finish their degrees way ahead of schedule and save lots of money.

Starling plans now to earn her master’s degree in clinical research along with a minor in biology. And no matter how long that takes, she will be two years ahead of schedule when she completes it.

For more info about the CCP program, contact Perry Gillespie at 910-900-4084.

Career and College Promise coordinator Perry Gillespie talks with student Anna Starling about finishing high school with a two-year degree.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_DSC02989.jpgCareer and College Promise coordinator Perry Gillespie talks with student Anna Starling about finishing high school with a two-year degree.

By Dan Grubb

Sampson Community College