Union's Dual Enrollment Program returns

David Saylor • August 28, 2024
Knox Central students and adults pose in front of a dark blue school banner with yellow lettering. There is a whiteboard in the background and tables and chairs in the foreground.


The Dual Enrollment Program at Union Commonwealth University has officially been reinstated: High school students from Barbourville Independent, Knox Central, and Lynn Camp now have an opportunity to simultaneously earn college and high school credits through Union at no charge.

 

“Over and over, I hear from our community that they want us to offer dual credit again,” said Union’s Interim President Dr. DJ Washington. “This is the single most value-added thing we can do for them, and I’m proud to be part of bringing it back.”

 

Superintendent Dennis Messer of Barbourville Independent Schools highlighted the importance of dual enrollment options for local students. “A lot of kids now will have thirty hours when they graduate. It gives them a nice head start when they begin college,” he said.

 

The full offerings will launch in January 2025, but the Media Arts Pathway has already begun this semester. One hundred fifty-three Knox County high school students are enrolled – 89 from Knox Central and 64 from Lynn Camp.

 

“The Media Arts Pathway allows students to learn digital skills that will be useful throughout their lives, no matter their chosen profession,” said Union Professor of Media Communications Dr. Christine Marley-Frederick. “There are a lot of great teachers in our local schools who are well trained and educated in the media arts, and it is exciting to see them offering this to their students.”

 

Jeremy Ledford, Superintendent of Knox County Public Schools and a Union alum, said the Media Arts Pathway is his district’s response to “growing interest” in the media arts among high school students.

 

Director of District Communications and Governance for Knox County Public Schools Frank Shelton explained that the career pathways are a new feature that was not part of the former dual credit agreements: “Previously, students earned college credit, but it was not toward a specific career path. This is a significant improvement over the previous agreements” Shelton was his district’s coordinator for the prior program and is also a Union alum.

 

“The media pathway is only the beginning as we work, as we have in the past, to identify opportunities for our students,” Ledford added. “We are excited to be returning to Union and offering dual credit at our hometown university.” 

 

While earning college credits and career exploration are major benefits, the program offers more than just academic advantages. As College Program Liaison and Coordinator Dr. Lori Henderson put it, “Dual Credit offers students an opportunity to see what college is like.” For students uncertain about pursuing higher education, this program could play a crucial role in shaping their career paths and educational choices.

Dr . DJ Washington is seated at a wooden desk, signing a document. Standing behind him and gazing down at the document are Chris Gibson, Lisa Napier, Dr. Lori Henderson, and Dr. Ryan Winders.

Henderson, who is Union’s Dean of the School of Education and Kinesiology, led the task force charged with reinstating the Dual Enrollment Program. Other task force members are as follows: Dr. D. J. Washington, Assistant Professor of Education Dr. Ryan Winders, Assistant Professor of Health & Wellness Chris Gibson, and Head Cheerleading Coach and Reading Interventionist at Knox Central Elementary Lisa Napier. Additionally, Title III Program Coordinator Rachel Gaynor served as a consultant in the process.


[PHOTO: Union’s Dual Enrollment Task Force looks on as Interim President Washington signs the official agreement. (Left to right: Chris Gibson, Lisa Napier, Dr. DJ Washington, Dr. Lori Henderson, and Dr. Ryan Winders.)]


Dual Enrollment is available to both juniors and seniors who maintain a 3.0 or higher grade point average (GPA) and earn an ACT score of at least 18. Eligible students will be able to choose from different educational pathways including nursing, education, and media arts.


To ensure that cost is not a barrier, the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) covers tuition for all students enrolled in the program. For students who choose to continue their education after high school, this financial support offers significant long-term cost savings. They can enter college with up to a year’s worth of credits already completed and paid for.


Union Commonwealth University’s full Dual Enrollment program is set to launch in January 2025, and courses will be available both online and in-person. To ensure academic rigor, all courses and programs must comply with quality standards set by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Dual enrollment instructors are required to have obtained at least a master’s degree or 18 credit hours in their respective subject.


Details about full course offerings will be available in the coming months. 

“We hope to continue expanding Union’s dual credit offerings for students at Barbourville High School, Knox Central, and Lynn Camp and within the tri-county region in the near future,” Washington said. “Those conversations are already taking place.” 


Students interested in participating in Union’s Dual Enrollment Program should contact their school guidance counselors for more information.

Bill and Merrill Davies with the Union Mascot, Mack the Bulldog.

Bill & Merrill Davies — A Union of Service & Learning

By David Saylor • June 24, 2025
William “Bill” Davies ’66 and Merrill Johnson Davies ’64 were brought together by their education at Union College and their Baptist faith in 1962. Since then, they have built a lasting legacy of service, learning, and community impact — one that has spanned more than 56 years of marriage.

UCU Celebrates Barbourville High School Seniors with Over $88,000 in Scholarships

By Maisie Nelson • June 13, 2025
Union Commonwealth University is proud to recognize the achievements of seniors from Barbourville High School who have committed to continue their academic and athletic pursuits at Union. Together, these students have been awarded more than $88,000 in scholarships as part of the university’s commitment to supporting local talent and making higher education more accessible.
Lynn and Amanda with Union's mascot, Mack the Bulldog, all wearing caps and gowns on Union's campus.

Lynn Smith & Amanda Hensely — Like Mother, Like Daughter

By Rachel Dorroh • June 5, 2025
This past fall, Lynn Smith was appointed as Executive Vice President of Union Commonwealth University. She draws on her nearly 25 years of service and three Union degrees to oversee operations including business & finance, information technology, and human resources, among other responsibilities.

Summer Brings Improvements and Guests to Union’s Campus

By Maisie Nelson • June 4, 2025
Union Commonwealth University is proud to share several exciting updates as work gets underway on key campus improvement projects this summer. These initiatives, made possible through successful fundraising efforts, reflect Union’s commitment to creating a welcoming, well-maintained environment for students, visitors, and the broader community.

Eight Bell County Seniors Commit to UCU, Over $190,000 Awarded in Scholarships

By Maisie Nelson • June 4, 2025
Union Commonwealth University is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of seniors from Bell County High School who have committed to continue their academic journeys at Union. Together, these students have been awarded over $190,000 in scholarships, recognizing both academic excellence and athletic talent.

Union Offers Free Swim Days for Local Youth This June

By Maisie Nelson • June 2, 2025
Union Commonwealth University is inviting school-aged children to enjoy free swim days every Saturday in June, beginning June 7 at the Center for Health & Learning’s Stivers Aquatic Center. These open swim opportunities are a way to give back to the community and celebrate the start of summer with local families.
Miller standing beside the sign for Conway Boatman Chapel.

The Rev. David Miller retires after 21 years of ministry at UCU

By Rachel Dorroh • May 30, 2025
After 21 years as the chaplain of Union Commonwealth University (UCU), the Rev. David Miller is retiring this month. Since his first ministerial appointment in 1984, he has served as the pastor of several Kentucky congregations, has taken on leadership roles in multiple Kentucky organizations, and has led countless campus programs and groups dedicated to student development. He says supporting students to find their personal calling, however, has been the highlight of his career.

Union Celebrates Another Ten Honorees in its “50 Under 50” Recognition Program

By Maisie Nelson • May 27, 2025
Union Commonwealth University proudly announces the next ten distinguished alumni honored as part of the university’s inaugural “50 Under 50” recognition program. Celebrating alumni who are making an impact before the age of 50, the program continues to highlight exceptional leaders across diverse industries — from public service and business innovation to healthcare, marketing, education, and law.
Leadership Tri-County class of 2025 with Andra Butler and Tori Doyle standing at the far right end.

The essence of leadership at UCU

By David Saylor • May 22, 2025
Leadership is about more than a title, it's a commitment to personal growth, professional excellence, and something greater than yourself. For many, this may mean embracing new challenges or simply striving to make a meaningful impact. At Union Commonwealth University, however, leadership also means investing in the potential of others by creating opportunities for growth, mentorship, and collaboration at every level.
Dr. Christine Marley-Frederick holding a mounted camera.

Dr. Christine Marley-Frederick to retire after 31 years at Union

By David Saylor • May 21, 2025
As Union Commonwealth University (UCU) sends off its new 2025 class of graduates, another farewell is underway. After 40 years of teaching, researching, and mentoring — 31 of them at Union — Dr. Christine Marley-Frederick, Professor of Communication, will retire this May. During her time at UCU, Marley-Frederick has had a profound influence on the Union community. She led the communication program through years of growth and change, served a decade as a department chair, became a faculty trustee, produced ten years of yearbooks, won several teaching awards, and even ran a coffee shop in the basement of Centennial.
More Posts