Pocatello’s Highland High School Senior to Graduate with Associate of Arts Degree through College of Arts & Letters Dual-Enrollment Program

Highland High School senior Madi Rausch will walk across the stage next spring with not only her high school diploma, but also with her Associate of Arts degree from Idaho State University.

Rausch first learned about dual-enrollment courses when she started high school. The idea of being able to get college credit while participating in the courses she was already taking intrigued her. She began taking Advanced Placement and dual-enrollment courses right away, but said she never expected to be able to complete all of the general education requirements.

“I am really excited about graduating with my general education requirements completed,” Rausch said. “It will take two years off of my time in school, and it will also save me a lot of money since I am paying for college by myself.”

Rausch is interested in studying a variety of things in college and plans to double major and double minor. She plans to work her degree around her many interests, including anthropology, journalism, political science and art history. Her favorite dual-enrollment courses were Political Science 1101 and 1102.

“I’ve never been so interested in any subject, until I got into that class,” she said. “It changed my perspective on our government and politics in general. It made me want to get more involved, and I am counting down the days until the 2020 election, so I can finally vote.”

Rausch will enroll in the College of Arts & Letters On-Campus Dual-Enrollment Pilot Program in the fall, and will take two classes in both the fall and spring semesters to be on track to graduate. She wants other students to have the same opportunities that she has had.

“I would definitely encourage other students to take dual-enrollment courses,” she said. “They are fun and interesting and give you an idea of what college classes will be like. My favorite thing about taking dual-enrollment classes is the pace and difficulty. I like a challenge.”