“I first heard about the dual enrollment program during my sophomore year of high school,” Gracie said. “My counselors were very adamant that these classes would help me get ahead in my college career and that it was also a great financial decision since I already knew I would be attending Marshall.”
Gracie completed many of her general education requirements before graduating from Point Pleasant High School. That head start allowed Gracie to step into her major courses in marketing with confidence and ease.
Thanks to her dual enrollment credits, Gracie arrived on campus in 2021 already ahead of the curve.
“Taking these courses gave me the opportunity to dive into my major-specific courses early. It made me more at ease, and I was able to start getting involved on campus right away.”
Even with an accelerated academic schedule, Gracie immersed herself in campus life. She became a Presidential Ambassador, a Peer Mentor for UNI 100, and a member of Baptist Campus Ministries, the American Marketing Association, and the TEDxMarshallU planning team. Gracie was even elected to Marshall’s Homecoming Court in 2022.
Outside the classroom, she also gained significant career experience. Gracie worked as a student assistant in Marshall’s Information Technology Department, interned with the Charleston Dirty Birds professional baseball team, and later joined Marshall’s Marketing and Communications Department as a student intern.
“Dual enrollment gave me the flexibility to dedicate more time to internships and campus experiences,” Gracie said. “Those opportunities helped shape my college journey.”
In spring 2024, Gracie earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing—a full year ahead of schedule. That early graduation allowed her to step into the professional world while many of her peers were still finishing their senior year.
She now works at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia in Charleston.
“Graduating early helped me apply for this position sooner. It gave me the chance to grow my career earlier, and I felt more confident stepping into new responsibilities.”
The financial benefits were also significant for Gracie.
“I was able to save a year’s worth of tuition and ease the cost of my student loan debt. That gave me more flexibility when relocating for my new job,” she said.
Looking back, Gracie says the biggest advantage of dual enrollment was the head start it gave her both academically and professionally.
“It saved me time and money, but it also gave me the confidence to know I could handle the collegiate workload.”
Her advice to high school students? “Take advantage of the opportunity even if it feels challenging at first. You’ll thank yourself later when you see how much it prepares you for what’s ahead.”
Though her years at Marshall were shorter than most, Gracie says her experience was deeply meaningful.
“I’m proud to represent the Marshall community as a West Virginia native. Marshall gave me the foundation to grow, and I carry that with me into my career every day.”
For more information on dual enrollment programs at Marshall University, visit www.marshall.edu/herdacademy.
