Eagle Scholars program strengthens college readiness
Kentucky's prospective high school students can earn college credit in high school while seeing what makes Morehead State University the #14 best public university in the South through MSU's Eagle Scholars program.
Currently, Morehead State's Eagle Scholars program offers dual-credit courses to more than 3,000 students at more than 50 partner high schools and homeschool programs. Students can complete college courses while attending high school, saving money on tuition while experiencing the unique benefits of attending MSU.
Eagle Scholars take college-level courses taught by MSU professors or MSU-qualified instructors. Morehead State adds these completed courses to their official MSU transcript and it's a good jumpstart to their college degree.
Additionally, these college courses are offered at a reduced rate. Programs like the KY Dual Credit Scholarship program and the Work Ready Scholarship program allow students to take these courses at no cost or a reduced cost.
Eagle Scholars has increased its offerings over its 14-year history, now offering over 40 different courses across MSU's four colleges. Dr. Joel Pace (Class of 1992, 1994, 1996, 2015 and 2021), director of the Eagle Scholars program, said interest in the program among high school students has also grown.
"We have seen an increase of over 40% in students enrolled, and we are serving more high schools across the Commonwealth," Pace said. "We have also seen a more intentional offering of related courses that are part of the high school career pathways. These targeted course sequences allow students to more closely tailor their dual-credit courses to their intended high school graduation requirements as well as to a college major."
Hannah Hutchinson, an MSU senior double-majoring in business management and computer information systems with a minor in strategic communication and leadership, took her first Eagle Scholars courses while attending Bath County High School. She said the most significant benefit was getting her prerequisite courses out of the way early, making her academic experience at MSU more enjoyable.
"It also gave me opportunities to take the classes I actually wanted to take in college," she said.
Hutchinson also said Eagle Scholars helped her succeed in college by giving her a sample of what she would experience coming to MSU.
“Taking those classes made a huge difference. I felt much more prepared than I would have without them, especially when it came to time management and staying organized,” she said. “I definitely felt ready for life on campus and college-level work. The experience gave me a solid preview of what college courses are like, and I know it helped me tremendously.”
Pace said there are now even more benefits to the Eagle Scholars program. In addition to receiving their MSU EagleCard, which allows them access to the Camden-Carroll Library, athletic events and the Recreation & Wellness Center at no cost, Eagle Scholars who enroll as first-time, first-year students receive priority course registration and consideration for academic scholarships due to their early admission to MSU.
Pace said that dual-credit students tend to have a higher GPA in their first year in college and are more likely to graduate.
"At MSU, Eagle Scholar students are graduating at almost double the rate of those without dual-credit hours," he said.
To learn more about MSU's Eagle Scholars program, email Joel Pace at j.pace@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2594.
