Tennessee Statewide Dual Enrollment Conference shares best practices to support high school students dual enrolled in college

Supported by Tennessee’s pioneering Dual Enrollment Grants, 42,532 high school students enrolled in college courses at the state’s community and technical colleges last fall. Earlier last year, 824 members of the Class of 2025 earned college credentials by the time of their high school graduation – associate degrees and workforce certificates at community colleges, and diplomas and certificates at Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs).

With dual enrollment surging as the fastest-growing segment of students in Tennessee higher education, more than 400 educators participated in the first Tennessee Statewide Dual Enrollment Conference to share best practices and innovative ideas to support and advance dual enrollment students.

The conference was hosted by Walters State Community College, TCAT Morristown, and TBR–The College System of Tennessee. The conference, held at Walters State in Morristown July 14, included 22 breakout sessions featuring such topics as:

• Helping Students and Parents Understand the Value of Dual Enrollment
• Dual Enrollment Through Our Eyes: A Student Panel
• Bridges to Opportunity: Effective Dual Enrollment Pathways and Practices
• Various partnerships between K-12 school districts and colleges for dual enrollment success.

Funded by the Tennessee Education Lottery, the Dual Enrollment Grant (DEG) program provides opportunities for high school students to earn college credit free of tuition. High school juniors and seniors may qualify for DEGs at 2- or 4-year colleges (tuition at 4-year institutions is not fully funded by the grants). And any high school student (grades 9 through 12) may qualify for DEG at the Colleges of Applied Technology, which offer a broad array of career and technical education programs. Eligibility requirements and more details are available at the Tennessee Higher Education Commission’s Dual Enrollment Grant webpage (https://www.collegefortn.org/dualenrollment/).

“The inaugural Statewide Dual Enrollment Conference was an overwhelming success. For many years, dual enrollment professionals and practitioners from both K–12 and higher education across Tennessee have expressed the need for a statewide conference dedicated to advancing dual enrollment. The incredible participation affirmed that the conference fulfilled a long-standing need,” said Dr. Matthew P. Hunter, dean of high school programs at Walters State Community College and a lead planner of the conference.

During the opening general session, Colten McLain, a Walters State graduate continuing his education at the University of Tennessee, shared his perspectives as a former dual enrollment student on opportunities created by dual enrollment. Four other students joined him on the student panel discussion.

"One of the most rewarding aspects of the inaugural conference was seeing the entire dual enrollment ecosystem come together in one place,” said Dr. Steven Berryhill, director of Early Postsecondary Opportunities in the TBR Office of Academic Affairs and a member of the conference’s steering committee. "This conference provided a meaningful space to exchange ideas, share promising practices, and strengthen partnerships. Throughout the event, there was a clear sense of purpose and dedication to expanding opportunities and improving outcomes for students."

Opening the conference, Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR)  Chancellor Flora W. Tydings thanked participants, planners, and officials who attended in support of dual enrollment programs. “What you all do matters—and it is working. Across Tennessee, dual enrollment is not just a program; it is a pathway — a bridge between high school and higher education – between aspiration and achievement – between potential and opportunity. And thanks to you, that bridge is stronger than ever.”

Others who addressed the conference included Board of Regents Member Miles Burdine, president/CEO of the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce; Bob Eby, chair of the State Board of Education; Brett Gibson, chief access and outreach officer at the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, and State Representative David Hawk.

The conference was the vision of the College System’s High School Programs Advisory Group, comprised of all high school programs coordinators and directors at TBR colleges.

“We are deeply grateful for the tremendous support of Chancellor Tydings, our community college and TCAT presidents, state education leaders, conference presenters, and sponsors,” Hunter said. “We also extend our sincere appreciation to our conference steering committee and the dedicated faculty and staff of Walters State Community College and TCAT Morristown, whose hard work and commitment made the conference a reality. We are excited to build on this momentum as we continue strengthening dual enrollment opportunities for students across Tennessee and are looking forward to the conference next year.”