Florence 1 expands dual-enrollment partnerships with Francis Marion and three other universities

Florence School District One trustees approved a series of higher-education partnerships that the superintendent said will expand dual-enrollment and early-college opportunities for district and regional students.

Dr. O'Malley described three MOAs with Francis Marion University: ongoing dual-enrollment seats (approximately 400 seats at FMU costing the district about $90,000 for general courses), the First College early-college program (cohort 2 cost roughly $102,000; cohort 3 roughly $42,000), and a plan for FMU to offer college-level biology, nursing, math and psychology courses at Pointer School of Healthcare Innovation, which will require about $88,000 in lab investments.

Administration emphasized the regional benefit of these partnerships and said other institutions will join dual-enrollment offerings. The board subsequently bundled and approved additional dual-enrollment agreements with Columbia International University (about $300 per course), South Carolina State University ($3.50 per course) and Lander University (up to two free classes per student), all approved by voice vote.

Board members praised the partnerships for student savings on college credits and for strengthening ties with local employers such as McLeod Hospital. The board approved the MOAs and related agreements by voice vote.