7 minute read
Success Story: Early College at Snow
By Emily Burton-Thomas
Across Utah, ambitious high school students enroll in Snow College's Early College (Concurrent Enrollment) programs to jumpstart their education. Among these students is Wyatt Manygoats, a recent graduate who truly embodies the power of early college education. As he reflects on his journey, it is obvious that his decision to enroll in these programs accelerated his academic path and provided his future with endless possibilities.
Wyatt grew up on a reservation in Arizona, which brought unique challenges to him and his family. Many of his people did not have electricity, running water, or even a safe road to their home. Each year, recruiters came to the reservation hoping to attract students to attend their high schools. He was only thirteen years old, but Wyatt already knew he wanted to do something to give back to his people.
“The personal connection you have with professors at Snow College goes both ways.” That strong, personal connection isn’t always the norm at larger universities.
One of the recruiters that visited the reservation was the Richfield Residential Hall from Central Utah, and their program stood out to Wyatt. “I remember the recruiter from the residential hall talked about [how] you can earn college credits in high school. I didn’t know what that was, so I was like, okay, that seems cool.”
Wyatt jumped headfirst into the opportunity and decided to continue his educational journey in Richfield. Describing the uncertainty he felt as he traveled to campus, he recalled, “I was sitting on that bus riding all the way from Arizona and halfway through Utah, and I was freaking out. I started contemplating, like, why did I do this?” Despite the unease, he remained determined to move forward.
High school students can begin taking college courses through Snow College starting in their junior year. These courses are different because they enable students to earn both high school and college credit simultaneously. Courses may either be taught by qualified high school teachers in the classroom or broadcasted from Snow College professors in Ephraim or Richfield. Students receive support from high school staff, such as counselors and facilitators. There is also a dedicated Snow College Academic Advisor assigned to each high school.
Wyatt emphasizes that the best part about taking courses through Snow College’s Concurrent Enrollment program is the connections he made with his instructors. “They had expectations,” Wyatt said of the college professors he worked with, “they held their standards and expectations on us students, even though we were in high school. We still met that standard. I met that bar.”
One of his favorite professors at Snow College was Ryan Thalman. With each success Wyatt has had since high school graduation, Ryan reached out to congratulate him. Wyatt highlights, “The personal connection you have with professors at Snow College goes both ways.” That strong, personal connection isn’t always the norm at larger universities.
Attending college was important to Wyatt and his family, but it was also a sacrifice. At five dollars per credit, most threecredit classes are only fifteen dollars. “I need [at least] $600 for a class here. There’s a major difference compared with affordability,” he recalled, emphasizing the contrast between the cost of courses through Concurrent Enrollment at Snow College and that of other institutions.
Wyatt added, “I think the main reason I did it was to get ahead in high school—get ahead and call it both.” Students who complete college credits in high school jumpstart their college careers and begin taking major-specific courses much quicker. He went on to explain that by taking general education classes while still in high school, he had a great head start on his bachelor’s degree.
Whether a student wants to simply take one class to get a feel for college or they want to fill their schedule with college classes, early college programs create opportunities for students who are ready for academic challenges and rigorous coursework. When Wyatt began taking Concurrent Enrollment courses during his junior year, he was not sure if he would complete all of his general education courses. The best course of action was just to start.
Taking Concurrent Enrollment courses through Snow College helped Wyatt prepare for the university experience. “I was already in that college mindset of being on task, being responsible, staying organized.” By pushing himself to be prepared for each new step, his transition to university life was much smoother.
Wyatt eagerly accepted new opportunities each year of high school and ran with them. Along with earning his Snow College General Education Certificate, he received other accolades throughout his high school career, including being named Sterling Scholar in the science category. The award was presented by a teary-eyed President Stacee McIff during a ceremony at Snow College.
Wyatt recalls waiting for the results to be read, “My heart was just pumping on stage. She said my name, and then she almost started crying while reading my biography. That was a surreal moment.”
In May of 2023, Wyatt attended the Richfield Commencement Ceremony for his Snow College General Education Certificate. Wyatt smiled as he thought back on that experience. “I like the fact that I could say that I graduated college [first]. It was three weeks later that we graduated from high school.”
When asked what advice he would give to other high school students considering participating in Concurrent Enrollment, Wyatt urged, “Get to know your professors and understand what it means to be a college student. Embrace the experience you have to be in a Concurrent Enrollment class.”
Petra Brittner, Director of Concurrent Enrollment at Snow College, further speaks to the power of Concurrent Enrollment, “We want students to have a healthy balance between school and their time away from school. Concurrent Enrollment helps set students up for success.” She went on to say, “If it is worth doing, it is worth doing well. Wyatt is a great example of one ‘doing it well.’”
At the time of this interview, Wyatt was enjoying his time in the honors dorm for first-year students at the University of Utah. Concurrent Enrollment allowed him to start studying engineering right after graduating high school. Equipped with skills, knowledge, and resilience, he excels as a university student. He was able to more quickly select his major and land a prestigious internship with a great company that aligns with his values of hard work and giving back.
Once finished with his bachelor’s degree, Wyatt plans to gain work experience before ultimately returning to the reservation with an increased capacity to give back to his people. His goal is to improve the reservation’s infrastructure and bring a better life to his family and friends back home.
Wyatt’s journey is a testament to the power of early college education. Through determination of his own, and support from Snow College’s programs, he has truly been set up for success.
If you have a high school student looking to jumpstart their college education, Snow College's Concurrent Enrollment is a great option. While most students won't complete their associate degree while still in high school, Concurrent Enrollment is a good way to learn what to expect in college-level courses while earning college credit. For more information on the program and to learn how to develop a balanced college plan, see snow.edu/ce.
