Schools

PASD Partners with Wilkes University for Engineering Curriculum

Future engineers will get a head start thanks to a new partnership.

At a recent Phoenixville Area school board meeting, administrators officially announced a new partnership with Wilkes University.

Students will have access to engineering courses and will receive dual enrollment credit, with the ability to garner 28 credits toward engineering degree requirements at Wilkes University or any other accredited university. School district faculty will teach the courses with support provided by the engineering faculty at Wilkes University.

“We are so excited that this day has finally come,” said Dr. Regina Palubinsky, assistant superintendent.

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Dr. Michael Speziale, dean of the college of graduate and professional studies and the school of education at Wilkes, was on hand to talk to board members about the dual enrollment program. He offered up a brief history of Wilkes, which has 25,000 undergraduates and 7,000 graduate students.

“Engineering is one of our strongest programs and one of our fastest growing programs,” Speziale said.

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Dr. Rodney Ridley, director/chair of the division of engineering and physics at Wilkes, said the partnership with Phoenixville Area School District aligns with the university’s mission. Faculty at Phoenixville will be able to take and deliver the curriculum to students at the high school.

“We believe this high school is one of the unique places where this can actually happen,” Ridley said.

He said there will be strict oversight and assessment of how the dual enrollment program is working after launch. Overall, Ridley told the board he believes the program will be a big benefit to the district.

“With our help and with a little dedication, I believe that the students here will get a truly unique program,” Ridley said.

Already, he said he’s received phone calls from other superintendents hoping to replicate the program in their schools.

“It will be highly sought-after as a model,” Ridley said.

Superintendent Dr. Alan Fegley called the program “an absolutely incredible opportunity for the students of Phoenixville and the faculty.” Board President Paul Slaninka agreed.

“It’s nice to see Phoenixville lead the rest of the superintendents in the area,” Slaninka said.

Phoenixville students who take part in the dual enrollment program will also see a discount in the rate per credit. While normal tuition is $210 per credit, PASD students will pay $70 per credit.

The goal is to have the courses ready to go for the 2012-2013 school year.


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