Early/Middle College Partnership Announced

Kalamazoo Valley Community College (Kalamazoo Valley) and Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (Kalamazoo RESA) are collaborating to greatly expand student success through a combined Early/Middle College initiative.

Early/Middle College provides students the opportunity to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and one to two years of transferable college credit, tuition free. “The ultimate goal of the Early/Middle College is to significantly increase the number of students graduating from area high schools with an Associate Degree or Skills Certificate,” said Kalamazoo Valley’s President Marilyn Schlack. “We plan to expand and solidify our efforts by sharing staff and resources with Kalamazoo KRESA.”

Kalamazoo Valley and Kalamazoo RESA will be sharing Deb Miller, who has been appointed Assistant Superintendent and Associate Vice President for Secondary Programming and Early/Middle College. Miller, who has been the Director of Education for Employment at Kalamazoo RESA, will lead this expanded effort.

This new agreement will leverage existing Career and Technical Education programs and certificates and degrees by utilizing a Guided Pathways approach. “The Early Middle/College program will streamline the current dual enrollment, Early College and Education for the Arts and Education for Employment efforts. “We fully expect this approach will more effectively prepare high school students for the rigors of college study and graduation and help guide students through structured career and educational pathways aligned with student’s interests and skills,” said Dave Campbell, Superintendent of Kalamazoo RESA. The Early/Middle College pathways include:
• Sustainable Food Systems
• Art and New Media
• Health Careers
• Public Safety
• Industrial Trades and Engineering, Design and Manufacturing Technology
• Business
The Early/Middle College pathways also include transfer programs such as an Associate of Arts Degree and Associate of Science Degree. Motivated students and their families can find out more by contacting their high school counselor.