Wallace State dual enrollment student Mason Shirley graduated from Hayden High School last month as valedictorian, with a strong number of college credit hours completed and with a clear career path in his sight. 

Shirley has been enrolled in Wallace State’s Career Tech Dual Enrollment program since 2013 and is approaching the completion of three short certificates in the college’s Engineering Technology program. He hopes to have the certificates fulfilled at the conclusion of the summer semester, which began May 26 at Wallace State.

Shirley has reaped the benefits of the dual enrollment program at Wallace State, which allows academic and technically-motivated students to enroll in college classes concurrently with their high school classes, thereby receiving both high school and college credit.

“The dual enrollment program has helped me in so many ways. I’ve always wanted to be a mechanical engineer, and I know what I can expect because I’ve been taking classes at Wallace State since the summer prior to my junior year,” Shirley said. “Being in the dual enrollment program and in engineering technology classes are going to help me get through college and in the workforce a whole lot faster. Everything about it is going to be so useful once I enter the workforce.”

Shirley doesn’t have much spare time. In addition to his educational accomplishments, Shirley is the father to a six-month old son, Brentley Mason Shirley, and works as a pharmacy tech at CVS in Gardendale.

Shirley also enlisted in the National Guard earlier this year and will report to basic training in Fort Jackson, S.C., on Aug. 5.

“One of the main reasons I decided to join the National Guard was to be able to provide for my family, while also being able to go to college full-time. Once I get back from basic training, I plan to enroll in UAH’s Reserved Officer Training Course (ROTC) program, and since I already have college credit hours, I can be promoted to a higher level and better pay grade,” Shirley said. “This will help put me through college and I will be able to maintain a full-time job. It will also help my son one day to be eligible for scholarships because I was a member of the National Guard.”

Shirley plans to major in mechanical engineering at UAH and wants to work at a manufacturing plant one day to fulfill his passion for working with cars.

Shirley is very grateful for the opportunity he had at Hayden to take dual enrollment classes through Wallace State and has made sure to encourage others to take advantage of the program.

“Dual enrollment is becoming more and more popular at Hayden. Even though some people enjoy taking high school elective classes, I found the opportunity to earn college credits too great to pass up. These credits get you one step closer to graduating, and you are enrolled in an area you are interested in. It’s easier to motivate yourself to do the work when it’s something you see yourself doing in the future,” Shirley said.

Students are eligible for dual enrollment courses after they have completed ninth grade. They must have maintained a “B” average in completed, standard high school courses leading to a high school diploma. Students must have written approval from the principal and local superintendent to enter dual enrollment courses, meet entrance requirements and complete placement exams.

High school students should first check with their guidance counselor about dual enrollment opportunities through Wallace State.

If high school students begin dual enrollment classes the summer after their sophomore year, they have the opportunity to earn 36 credit hours of college coursework before completing their high school education.

For more information about Wallace State, visit wallacestate.edu.