FHU celebrates 10th anniversary of educational partnership

HENDERSON, Tenn. — Chester County schools and Freed-Hardmen University held a celebration of their partnership this afternoon, April 29.

During the 2013 to 2014 school year, Chester County schools began with just 14 students in the dual enrollment program.

Now as of the 2023 to 2024 school year, there are currently 84 students.

Jared Gott, Assistant Dean of Emerging and Innovative Programs for Freed Hardeman shares more details.

“The dual enrollment students are knocking out some college credits and then transfer wherever they want to go. And for our local faculty and staff in the Chester County school system, yes they are earning those degrees and then reaching greater potential within their own careers,” said Gott.

This program is allowing for not only high school students to excel, it’s also helping the community.

Troy Kilzer, Director of Schools for Chester County, says more.

“I know we’ve run some numbers and the number of our employees that– administrators also, that have gotten at least some level of their degrees done at Freed-Hardeman University shows that we have invested in Freed-Hardeman and they, in turn, have invested in us,” said Kilzer.

Educators are able to receive degrees in FHU’s grad programs and college students are working in local schools as student teachers.

“For my office, that focuses on dual enrollment opportunities and our early admit program for high school sophomores, but it extends to student teacher placements with our college of education and even other connections with the schools,” said David Shannon, President of FHU.

Aside from students earning their associates they are also saving money.

“The growth has been tremendous and the opportunity for the community is that students are able to receive credit hours at a secondary or post secondary level and it offers them tremendous savings for their family,” said Shannon.

Overall this 10 year relationship has been beneficial for the entire community.

“I think that this type of partnership allows access to families to our communities it allows the Chester County School System to reach its highest potential,” said Gott.

Gott also shared that overall students have received over 400 credits hours as of 2023.

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