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Southeast Community College is on a mission to empower and transform diverse learners and communities of southeast Nebraska through accessible lifelong educational opportunities. Many learners in the area have their first experience at SCC in high school by taking dual credit classes through the Southeast Nebraska Career Academy Partnership or Lincoln Public School’s The Career Academy.

“The role of SENCAP and TCA is to allow students to explore career paths they may want to explore further after high school,” said Brian Stark, associate dean of extended learning. “Once they are in the program, our goal is for them to continue their education at SCC to finish their degree. Many of the pathways give students a jumpstart at SCC allowing them to save time and money by taking dual credit classes in high school.”

SENCAP began in 2008 with 16 participating high schools, approximately 45 students and two career pathways (Education and Health). Today, there are 64 high schools with over 1,900 students in 18 transfer pathways and 95 dual credit classes. In addition to earning college credit, dual credit students saved over $1.1 million because of the 65% tuition discount applied to their bill during the 2023-2024 academic year.

“SCC started the dual credit program with a few partnering schools and now has 100% participation in the 15-county service area,” Stark said. “This includes all public and private high schools as well as homeschool students and a virtual program. We have also greatly expanded the number of programs with many of our pathways now including certificates. In the 2025-2026 academic year, students will be able to graduate with a diploma from SCC which will be a first for students in our area.”

The most popular career path options are welding, academic transfer and healthcare. Welding is a field where employers are looking to replace a retiring workforce with young welders. Students in the welding pathway can earn a certificate by taking four selected classes. Last year, 51 students earned the welding certificate. The academic transfer pathway allows students to take their general education classes before they enroll in a four-year college or university.

“Many students know SCC may not be their final destination so they start taking classes which will transfer to their degree program,” Stark explained. “SCC has articulation agreements with local colleges which makes transferring your credit easy. We also have several students finish an associate degree in academic transfer at a lower rate before they transfer to a four-year institution.”

There are many benefits to taking dual credit classes. Stark believes taking college classes in high school prepares a high school student for the academic rigor of college. It also helps them figure out what they want to be when they grow up.

“Dual credit allows students to explore careers at a discounted rate to determine their major in college,” he said. “They tend to have a deeper understanding of the career path which helps them determine if they want to pursue it. If they want to change their path, they can do it without a significant financial burden.”

The SENCAP program has coordinators that visit all high schools on a regular basis. They help students with the application and registration process, connect with resources if needed and collaborate with the high school staff to match students with the right pathway.

Learn more about dual credit opportunities for high school students. 

‌Jennifer Snyder
Communications Specialist
402-323-3393
jsnyder@southeast.edu