February 12, 2016
MNM: MARSHALL, Texas (2/12/16) - Beginning this fall, Marshall High School juniors and seniors will be able to become East Texas Baptist University students without ever leaving their high school classroom.
School leaders from both institutions as well as the Marshall ISD Education Foundation joined together Thursday to announce the launch of Maverick University, a program that allows MHS juniors and seniors to earn up to 27 college credit hours while still in high school.
The partnership between the district, foundation and the university offers university level classes and credit at a fraction of the cost to the high school students.
The students will remain on the high school campus where ETBU faculty come to teach.
Courses cost $50 per credit hour or $150 per a three-hour course plus the cost of books.
That is half of the current cost for high school students currently enrolled in ETBU dual credit courses.
Maverick University will also offer a wider selection of courses than currently offered.
The nine courses offered include: American History I and II, English I and II, College Algebra, Statistics, Calculus I and II and Speech.
"We will continue to evaluate these courses and make some additions as we have students graduate and additional courses can be taken on the ETBU campus," ETBU Provost Tommy Sanders said Thursday. "This will save students more than $20,000 in tuition costs for 27 hours of college credit."
Sanders said that 27 hours of college credit means students will be almost a fourth of the way through a four-year degree after graduating high school.
"We currently have about 20 students in the program but our goal is to get 100 students," Sanders said. "These students will receive an ETBU student ID and be allowed access to our facilities, tutorials and athletic events."
Marshall ISD Education Foundation President Diane Seal said she is currently collecting donations to offer scholarships for Maverick University to help some qualifying students who can't afford the cost. She also hopes to raise enough funds to help students with the cost of books, she said.
"Some here have never had a parent go to college and they are a little intimidated by the thought of going on a college campus," Marshall High School Principal Tina Brown said Thursday. "Maverick University is for them. They have a nice support system here at the high school with our counselors and access to ETBU faculty."
Marshall ISD Superintendent Marc Smith and ETBU President Blair Blackburn said they hope to be a model to other schools and colleges in the area with Maverick University.
"This is an opportunity to improve the quality of education for all students," Blackburn said Thursday. "This is a historic day. It's all about the students and we want to see lives changed."
(Used by permission www.marshallnewsmessenger.com, story by MNM Education Reporter Bridget Ortigo.)
MNM: Marshall HS Students Exicted About New College Credit Opportunities
MNM: (2/12/16) - Some of Marshall High School's current dual credit students are excited and a little envious of the launching of the new Maverick University, a partnership to begin in the fall between East Texas Baptist University and the school that offers up to 27 college credit hours at a discounted cost.
"I'm currently taking dual credit courses through ETBU and I'm really excited about this opportunity that juniors and seniors will have next fall," senior Cristal Monzon-Hernandez said Thursday. "They will get more college courses to choose from and it will be cheaper than we are currently paying."
Current ETBU dual credit high school students pay $300 per three-hour credit course. Maverick University will offer the same three-hour credit course for $150.
"I'm a little jealous they get to get it at that price," dual credit senior Jasmin Acuna joked Thursday. "This will leave them well prepared for college and it's just a huge opportunity for them to take advantage of."
The dual credit students said the courses, while harder than average high school courses, are definitely able to be handled by the high school students who qualify.
Dual credit senior Angel Roach said Maverick University will give the students a jump on other college students.
"They can have most of their first-year courses done and more," she said Thursday. "This is great for them to get that head start. We will have an advantage at college next year as well."
Monzon-Hernandez said she's excited about the legacy the program will have on up and coming students in the district.
"I have a younger brother and a younger sister so I'm grateful that they will have this opportunity when they get to high school," Monzon-Hernandez said. "I'm also grateful that the bond passed and they will have the facilities they need to learn in."
Acuna agreed.
"If we could do it now, imagine what they can do with this opportunity," Acuna said.
(Used by permission www.marshallnewsmessenger.com, story by MNM Education Reporter Bridget Ortigo.)