Jessica Penrod, 16, of Vestaburg, is learning what college is all about. 

A junior at Vestaburg High School, Penrod is in her first year in the dual enrollment program at Montcalm Community College.  

She said she found out about the program when MCC Admissions Representative Taryn Muilenburg visited her school. 

“I liked the opportunity to gain college credits,” Penrod said. 

Dual enrollment allows students to take up to 10 college classes throughout their high school career. Successful completion of a college course grants them college credit as well as satisfies one of their high school graduation requirements, either a core requirement or an elective requirement, depending on the college course taken. 

Penrod completed a psychology class in the fall and is enrolled in Spanish 1 and Survey of General Chemistry this spring. 

“It allows me to know I can handle the college workload and takes the fear away,” she said. “I’m learning how to manage my time between regular schoolwork, sports and work.” 

Aside from school, she is an avid runner and enjoys singing. She has been involved in cross country and track since sixth grade. She also has two part-time cleaning jobs. 

Penrod talked about the advantages of the dual enrollment program. 

“It’s a great opportunity to earn college credits early on and get a college experience of the work load,” she said. 

After high school, Penrod is considering a career in the field of aerospace engineering. She plans to transfer to Michigan because of their top engineering program.