The Associate Program, a four-year program created about 10 years ago through a partnership between State Farm, Heartland Community College, and Unit 5, is made for the future.
It is designed for students interested in computer science to complete significant college coursework while still in high school.
Students take high school-level computer science classes and dually attend Heartland Community College for other courses. In addition, students enroll in advanced math, college-level English, and humanities courses.
Upon graduation, students earn both their high school diploma and an Associate’s degree in Computer Science (or an Associate of Science with a focus in computer science).
The students complete the first two years of college, setting them up for success in the future.
For some students, having an associate’s degree straight out of high school is the main reason they chose the program.
“I signed up after I had learned that the program could help me with college after high school, ” sophomore Oliver Jorczak stated.
The program involves State Farm mentors who work with students on projects and challenges designed to help them apply their computer science knowledge and learn new skills in real time.
The program aims towards students who are academically motivated and have an interest in technology.
One of the longest members and a helping hand is Normal West science teacher, Mr. David Weber.
Weber works closely with students, particularly when they are freshmen and sophomores, to ensure they are succeeding academically.
This relationship is critical because the program is highly challenging, requiring students to manage multiple AP and college-level classes simultaneously.
Weber, along with State Farm mentors, creates various projects and challenges for the students to complete outside of their standard academic curriculum.
These initiatives are designed to give students opportunities to apply the computer science knowledge they have gained in the classroom to real-world scenarios.
Becoming an associate program member is impressive as it is, but being a student athlete while doing so is going above and beyond.
However, there are multiple student-athletes in this program.
Weber mentions some big names, such as Sam McReynolds, “an outstanding player for varsity soccer.”
To name a few more, Senior “Emily Parent is a swimmer.”
Sophomore Oliver Jorczak, a football player, and Mason Sweeney, a football player.”
The associate program is not only a nice pathway, but it is a way to find a family.
The people in the program and “the environment gives everyone a sense of belonging because we struggle through different challenges together.” Jorczak shared.
This program is great for the next generation of students.
