Pictured above (l-r): Mitchell College President Tracy Y. Espy and New London Public Schools Superintendent Cynthia Ritchie sign a partnership agreement.

Mitchell College and New London Public Schools (NLPS) are partnering to provide dual enrollment to New London High School (NLHS) students, giving them an opportunity to take courses at Mitchell College. Mitchell College President Tracy Y. Espy and NLPS Superintendent Cynthia Ritchie signed a dual-enrollment partnership agreement at a recent orientation and ice cream social for the dual-enrolled NLHS students at Mitchell College.

President Espy said, “We are thrilled to welcome students from New London High School to our campus this fall, and to rekindle our partnership with the New London Public Schools, in alignment with the goals of the Governor’s Workforce Council’s focus on affordable access to higher education for Connecticut students. There is no better way to find out what college is about than for students to engage in a classroom with a professor and fellow students. The courses being offered this fall to NLHS students will not only open their minds to possible career paths, but will also help them think about greater societal issues in the world today. At Mitchell, our goal is to not only prepare students for career, but also to nurture an understanding of the world around them.”

NLHS students, who are identified by NLHS guidance counselors and teachers, will have the opportunity to enroll in a choice of three Mitchell College courses for Fall 2022: Introduction to Applied Exercise Science, Introduction to Early Childhood Education and Introduction to Race, Ethnicity, and Culture. Additional courses will be offered in Spring 2023.

Superintendent Ritchie said, “New London Public Schools is incredibly excited about partnering with Mitchell College on this dual enrollment initiative. The program allows us to provide our high school students with college experiences, including being involved and connected to on campus staff and activities, early on. Connecting high school students to these experiences now will allow them to see themselves as future college students and successful graduates. We are grateful for this partnership, with Mitchell College, on behalf of our students!”

NLHS students who successfully complete 6+ credit hours at Mitchell and earn a grade of “C” or better in each course will be given priority admissions to Mitchell College upon successful completion of their high school diploma.

In addition, enrolled NLHS students will receive a Mitchell identification card, which will enable them to access the Mitchell College library and dining hall and events of interest (such as athletics and performing arts). Mitchell College tutoring services will also be available to dual-enrolled students.