Students tell Vermont committee Early College and Free Degree Promise expand access, ease cost barriers

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Students and staff from the Community College of Vermont told the House Committee on Commerce & Economic Development on Feb. 20 that the Early College program and the Free Degree Promise are helping high-school students begin college coursework earlier, reduce costs and explore career paths.

Katie Mobley, dean of enrollment and community relations at CCV, told the committee that CCV serves about 240 Early College students this year, with participants from nearly every county and 60 of Vermont's 72 high schools. "Forty-seven percent of our students currently identify as low income," she said, and the program reports an average GPA of about 3.2 for participating students.

Mobley said the Early College initiative—part of the state's flexible pathways framework and connected for many students to the McClure Foundation's Free Degree Promise—has two main goals: increase high-school graduation rates and make students college- and career-ready. "It allows students to explore careers earlier in their high-school time period," she said.

Students described why they chose the program. Ruby Hall, an Early College student at CCV, told the committee she had been "ready to be done with high school" and used Early College to sample college courses while avoiding large debt: "My parents both were like still paying off their student loans," she said, adding that the Free Degree Promise made an accelerated, lower-cost associate's degree feasible.

Felix, a home-study student, described Early College and the Free Degree Promise as an alternative to a high-school diploma: "It's allowing me to get a degree instead of a diploma that I can then use to move on later," he said. Felix said the program's flexibility (in-person and online offerings) helped him complete STEM coursework, with a biology focus.

Hannah Dobrilovich, who is pursuing health and sciences at CCV, told the panel that Early College let her complete prerequisites for nursing school: "I only have hands-on nursing classes to do," she said, describing anatomy and physiology lab work and clinical-style experiences.

Brandon Swaim, who is working toward an associate's in business, said the credential widens employment options and can serve as a stepping-stone to a four-year degree. Committee members and CCV staff discussed workforce links, noting local demand in sectors such as captive insurance, banking and finance and describing existing outreach events—"Access Days"—that introduce younger students to career pathways.

Mobley also addressed outreach to home-study students and the program's coordination with the Agency of Education under Act 77, noting about 15 home-study students currently participate at CCV and that many begin with the state's dual-enrollment vouchers before moving into Early College.

The committee asked students about academic supports, travel and transfer plans. Several students said they plan to continue their education—some at institutions abroad where they hold or can obtain citizenship, and others at Vermont State University or local accelerated programs—and credited CCV resources such as tutoring and faculty support.

The committee did not take formal votes during the testimony; members thanked the students and CCV staff and encouraged continued outreach and connection between schools, employers and the college. Mobley invited committee members to meet students around the building after the session.

The testimony continues the committee's review of workforce and education pipelines; no new legislation or motions were proposed during the students' remarks.