A recent CT Mirror viewpoint highlights a growing shift in higher education: for more than 3,500 Connecticut high school students, college has already begun.
Authored by Southern faculty leaders Andrew Smyth and Olcay Yavuz, the piece explores the rapid expansion of dual and concurrent enrollment programs nationwide, with up to 2.8 million students taking college-level courses while still in high school. In Connecticut, the CSCU system — and Southern Connecticut State University in particular — is helping lead that effort by expanding access and removing barriers.
Southern’s Early College Program allows students from partner high schools to earn up to 30 college credits at no cost, following the elimination of course fees in 2025. Courses are offered both in high school classrooms and on campus, giving students early exposure to college academics, campus life, and potential career paths.
The authors emphasize that these programs not only reduce future college costs, but also build confidence, improve college readiness, and expand access for students who may not have previously considered higher education. With partnerships across more than 100 high schools and districts, Southern’s program continues to grow — creating a more equitable pathway to college and workforce success.
Read the full CT Mirror viewpoint: When does college begin? For 3,500 high school students, it already has
