Over 1,500 of JCC's part-time students are concurrently enrolled in high school, according to a report delivered by Marilyn A. Zagora, JCC's vice president and dean of academic affairs, at the December meeting of the college's board of trustees.

Dr. Zagora presented a comprehensive summary of College Connections, JCC's concurrent enrollment program which has allowed thousands of high school students to enrich their high school experiences while earning college credits since the program began in 1998.

"The College Connections program is an important partnership effort," Dr. Zagora told the trustees. "It strengthens our relationships with high schools and acts as a recruitment vehicle, but most importantly, it begins the process of college success for area high school students.”

During the 2010-11 academic year, College Connections courses were offered in 38 regional high schools with the highest enrollments at Jamestown, Olean, Allegany-Limestone, Falconer, and Frewsburg high schools. Fifty different courses were offered with students distributed among 269 sections. English and mathematics courses were the most popular offerings, followed by history, business, and Spanish.

Dr. Zagora noted that future directions will include JCC offering more College Connections courses in areas such as mechanical technology and welding, as well as including online offerings in the program to enhance elective options.

According to Dr. Zagora, the program provides high school students with several advantages. "The students and their families are reducing future college costs," she said. "Students can save tens of thousands of dollars by earning transferable College Connections credits. In addition, College Connections students have time to take more electives in college, earn a second major, complete an internship, or perhaps study abroad."

JCC's College Connections program is one of only 66 U.S. collegiate programs fully accredited by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships. As part of the program, JCC offers two annual teacher development workshops for high school teachers, honors top College Connections students nominated by their high schools each year, and recognizes a top College Connections "Teacher of the Year." Paul Steward, a biology teacher at Randolph Central School, was the 2011 teacher honoree. Steward has taught Principles of Biology I since 1999.

Additional information on College Connections is available through high school guidance counselors or by contacting Maria Kindberg, director of College Connections, at 716.338.1143.