Seizing Tomorrow’s Opportunities Today: The Life-Changing Impact of Dual Enrollment in North Carolina
How can a high school student graduate with a college degree, debt-free—and a head start on life? In this inspiring post, Dr. Janet Spriggs shares powerful stories of determination, the impact of dual enrollment in North Carolina, and a heartfelt call to live each day with joy and purpose.
Janet N. Spriggs, Ed.D.
5/17/20253 min read


On Saturday, I had the joy and honor of celebrating some of the most inspiring students I know — our Stokes Early College graduates. I’ll offer remarks to the Early College and Middle College of Forsyth graduates this Wednesday. These remarkable young people have earned their high school diplomas and college credit — most have completed full degrees, diplomas, or certificates at Forsyth Tech. They are crossing the stage already debt-free and heading into a future filled with promise.
At Stokes, I told the graduates how proud we all are, not just for what they’ve achieved but also for their commitment, hard work, and heart. I will echo those sentiments with the Forsyth graduates. These students are examples of determination; their stories prove the power of dual-enrollment opportunities.
I’ll never forget meeting Kaylee, one of our Stokes Early College graduates. She attended a student listening session I hosted during our strategic planning process. On May 7th, Kaylee crossed the commencement stage at just 17 years old—one of our youngest graduates. Technically, she earned her college degree before receiving her high school diploma. When I asked her where she was headed next, she told me she had chosen the University of Florida—because, in her words, “they gave me the best financial package and the most mone
Smart move, Kaylee.
While many students face overwhelming debt, Kaylee and many of her CIHS peers will enter their next chapter with a college credential and financial freedom on their side. The Stokes Early College graduates earned more than $3.8 million in scholarship awards this year.
Near the end of my remarks, I shared two phrases that I challenged the graduates to consider for their lives:
Carpe diem — seize the day.
Joie de vivre — a love of life or, as the dictionary puts it, exuberant enjoyment of life.
I hope that our graduates always carry these words with them. When we seize the day and live each moment with joy and intention, we experience life more fully, acknowledge our blessings, and create impact and legacies that matter.
I left the graduates with one final call to action: “Live a life that leaves the world a better place because of the difference you have made.”
These students are already making that difference.
North Carolina is a national leader in creating pathways to college and career through dual enrollment. The Cooperative Innovative High School (CIHS) model is one of our most powerful tools. Strong partnerships between local school districts and community colleges ground schools like our Early and Middle Colleges in Stokes and Forsyth Counties. They allow students to complete college degrees while still in high school, tuition-free. Many districts provide additional support, such as textbooks and transportation. Unsurprisingly, CIHS schools consistently lead the state in student outcomes.
More than 95% of CIHS students graduate from high school, above the state average.
CIHS students have a lower dropout rate than their peers.
87% of CIHS students earn a passing college grade of C or better, 14% higher than students in traditional public high schools.
However, CIHS is only one of North Carolina’s innovative approaches to dual credit. Through Career and College Promise (CCP), students at public or private high schools across the state can earn college credit, tuition-free, while still in high school. Whether they’re planning to transfer or go straight into the workforce, CCP gives students a head start on their future and helps them avoid a debt burden.
Take Yired Mendez Perez, one of our College Lift Scholars and our first CCP graduate from the Aviation program. While in high school this year, Yired completed one year of her Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) degree and earned a certificate. She’ll return to Forsyth Tech this fall to complete her A&P associate degree—and by 2026, she’ll be ready for a family-sustaining career in North Carolina’s booming aviation economy. Yired is on her way to a family-sustaining career in an industry vital to our state’s economic future.
Stories like Kaylee’s and Yired’s show us that dual credit programs aren’t just innovative but transformational. Especially for first-generation and low-income students, these opportunities change lives. They accelerate college and career success, reduce debt, and provide a steady stream of well-prepared, workforce-ready talent for North Carolina’s economy.
These programs create a ripple effect of economic mobility and prosperity across our state. Our students — every one of them who has said “yes” to these opportunities—have already taken the first step.
They’ve seized the day.
I am confident they are ready for what comes next. I hope they continue to live joy-filled lives, with intention, passion, and an exuberant love for life that never fades.
I invite you to join us:
Seize the day with joy
Embrace every moment with intention
Be passionate about life — your life’s purpose and legacy
Say yes to opportunities
Delight in the present
Live your best life — on purpose, with purpose.