3 GNTC Students Earn Associate Degrees As High School Seniors

While Abby Davenport, Daniel Illangovan and Dean White were high school seniors, they were also earning associate degrees at Georgia Northwestern Technical College.

Mr. White completed Dual Enrollment classes online at GNTC his junior and senior years of high school and earned his diploma at Coosa High School in Rome and an associate degree in business management from GNTC at the same time.

“Dual Enrollment gave me the opportunity to explore different career options while still in high school,” Mr. White said. “I decided to pursue business management, this choice allowed me to gain knowledge and skills that I can use to eventually work in sales with my dad.”

Mr. Illangovan, a Dade County resident who was homeschooled, also earned an associate degree in drafting technology. He said Dual Enrollment offered many benefits, such as financial savings and getting a head start on college by earning credit for core classes while still in high school.

Ms. Davenport earned an associate degree in drafting technology by participating in the Dual Enrollment program through the Walker LAUNCH College and Career Academy at GNTC’s Walker County Campus in Rock Spring. She is a graduate of LaFayette High School.

“The Dual Enrollment program seemed like an amazing opportunity to get ahead in my education and be able to come out of high school with a college degree,” Ms. Davenport said. “Getting my degree through GNTC has set me ahead of my peers, has opened many doors for me and will continue to do so in future endeavors.”

In spring 2025, GNTC issued cords to be worn during commencement ceremonies to 660 high school students who earned college credit while still in high school as Dual Enrollment students.

Officials said, "Georgia’s Dual Enrollment program allows qualified high school students in GNTC’s nine-county service area to maximize their education and career training by taking college-level courses that earn college and high school credit at the same time."

“Under the Dual Enrollment program, high school students can enroll in any program of study offered at GNTC as long as they meet the admissions standards of the college and of the program of study and also meet the eligibility criteria set forth by the State of Georgia as defined in the program regulations,” said Kristi Hart, director of High School Initiatives at GNTC.

Qualifying students in grades 10-12 may enroll on a part-time or full-time basis as a Dual Enrollment student and take college courses at their high school campus, a GNTC campus or online. Students can enroll in GNTC courses during the fall, spring or summer semesters while still in high school and receive dual credit.

GNTC’s Dual Enrollment program is nationally accredited by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships.

Several high schools and college and career academies in GNTC’s service area offer GNTC programs on their high school campus that are specifically for Dual Enrollment students, Ms. Hart said.

“I love the variety of ways high school students can utilize Dual Enrollment to best suit their future plans,” Ms. Hart said. “Students can complete up to 30 hours of general education courses that can then transfer to four-year institutions, or they can enroll into a technical program at GNTC and be almost finished, or completely finished in some cases, by the time they graduate high school.”

“Affordability was definitely one of the factors I considered when applying to the program,” Mr. Illangovan said. “The State of Georgia gives funding for up to 30 credits as a Dual Enrollment student. Along with some other state scholarships, I was able to complete my associate degree with very minimal fees.”

Mr. White said he only had to pay some small fees for certain classes.

“Dual Enrollment allowed me to get college credit without taking on debt or financial strain,” Mr. White said. “The experience also helped me become more disciplined, manage my time better and gain confidence in my ability to succeed in a college environment.”

Mr. White said this fall, he will begin working towards his bachelor’s degree in digital media and communication at Georgia Highlands College.

“Earning a degree at GNTC has helped prepare me for the future by giving me practical skills, professional software knowledge and confidence to step directly into the workforce,” Mr. Illangovan said. He plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Southern Adventist University.

Ms. Davenport said she urges students who have a drive to better themselves in school to consider GNTC’s Dual Enrollment program. She is now looking for a job in her field and is considering a future in mechanical engineering.

“I'm unsure if I want to go back to college yet, but it's possible I will, especially if an employer offers to further my education,” Ms. Davenport said.

For admission into GNTC’s Dual Enrollment program, students must first meet with their high school’s counselor or Dual Enrollment coordinator and obtain approval to participate; home school students and parents can meet with the Dual Enrollment specialist in High School Initiatives at GNTC. Students must have a high school GPA of 2.0 documented with a high school transcript or have acceptable standardized test scores. Transcripts and test scores are generally provided by the high school.

Listed below are the northwest Georgia high schools served and the number of seniors at those schools who received GNTC’s Dual Enrollment Cord for their high school graduation ceremony.

Armuchee High School—4
Calhoun High School—44
Catoosa County College and Career Academy—50
Cedartown High School—64
Chattooga High School—41
Coahulla Creek High School—4
Coosa High School—5
Dade County High School—23
Dalton High School—3
Gordon Central High School—10
Gordon County College and Career Academy—26
Gordon Lee High School—42
Heritage High School—10
LaFayette High School—37
Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe High School—6
Model High School—40
Murray County High School—43
North Murray High School—16
Northwest Whitfield High School—5
Ridgeland High School—5
Ringgold High School—17
Rockmart High School—40
Rome High School—11
Sonoraville High School—50
Southeast Whitfield High School—1
The Dalton Academy—3
Trion High School—34
Walker LAUNCH College and Career Academy—26

For more information about GNTC’s Dual enrollment program and the link to the online application, go to https://www.gntc.edu/dual-enrollment/.