LAND O’ LAKES – Samuel Wu is not only earning a high school diploma at Sunlake High School this spring but he’s also receiving his Associate in Arts degree through dual enrollment at Pasco-Hernando State College.
Wu, who is graduating as valedictorian at Sunlake, said earning a degree in high school has helped jumpstart his college experience.
“Earning my AA allows me to go right into my major, having already covered all my general education and prerequisites,” Wu said. “I can dive deep into what I’m really interested in.”
Wu is planning on attending the University of Florida for his advanced coursework.
Other students are taking advantage of Pasco-Hernando State College’s dual enrollment program.
Amaya Beebe, of West Campus, described doing dual enrollment as her best decision.
“PHSC has been super welcoming and helpful,” Beebe said. “My instructors have made the process super smooth.”
After graduation, she plans to move to Boston to attend Suffolk University to study her undergrad in politics with a major in global cultural studies.
Ruth Greenhaw, of Wiregrass Ranch High School, said she had a very good experience for dual enrollment.
“I’m glad I did it,” Greenshaw said. “The process was pretty smooth and helped set me up for my next educational step.”
Harlee Wilson, of West Campus, started at Pasco-Hernando State College as a high school sophomore.
The next stop on her educational journey is USF, where she is going into the biomedical sciences to become a forensic pathologist. Her hopes to be accepted into the seven-year BS/MD program USF offers.
“PHSC has been a big part of my growth over the past three years and has set me up for success in my future,” Wilson said, “PHSC truly wants its students to succeed, and it is shown throughout the campus. I am grateful to be a PHSC alumni.”
Pasco-Hernando State College will host spring commencement on May 8 in the Physical Fitness Center at the West Campus in New Port Richey, 10230 Ridge Road. Two commencement ceremonies will honor graduates earning bachelor’s and associate degrees and certificates. The morning ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. and the afternoon commencement will begin at 3:30 p.m. The event will be live streamed at phsc.edu/grad.
