Point Park-Woodland Hills School District Dual Enrollment Program Receives Support from Dominion Foundation Monday, January 25, 2010

Point Park University has received a $5,000 grant from the Dominion Foundation for the University's dual enrollment program established with Woodland Hills School District. The funds will be used to support a mentoring program unique to the Point Park-Woodland Hills School District partnership.

"We are thrilled to contribute to the academic enrichment, career development and social growth of Woodland Hills High School students through the provision of cross-age mentoring by Point Park pre-service teachers," said Stanley E. Denton, Ph.D., assistant professor in the department of education. "These efforts relate well to Woodland Hills School District's educational reform initiative as well our university's strategic goal of community engagement."

The dual enrollment program was established between Point Park and Woodland Hills School District in 2009. The program offers high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn credits toward their diploma or college degree while attending secondary school. Participation in the dual enrollment program has been shown to shorten the time necessary for degree achievement, reduce high school dropout rates, and increase student aspirations for future academic goals.

Twenty-four Woodland Hills students began taking classes at Point Park during the fall 2009 term. An additional 25 are expected to join the program for the spring 2010 term.

Point Park University, founded in 1960, is a comprehensive master's level university with a strong liberal arts tradition, and is located in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh. Point Park enrolls approximately 3,900 full-and part-time students in 67 undergraduate programs and 11 graduate programs offered through its School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Communication and the Conservatory of Performing Arts.

Point Park University-Woodland Hills School District Dual Enrollment Program provides high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to advance their academic goals by earning college credits while attending high school. Participants secure a head start in their post-secondary careers while being challenged in a higher education environment.