This month, more than 60 educators, district leaders, college partners, and students came together for the first Regional Dual Enrollment Convening, co-hosted by the Yolo County Office of Education, Sacramento County Office of Education, and the Sacramento K-16 Collaborative. The gathering marked an important milestone in our region’s shared commitment to expanding equitable college credit access for students across Sacramento and Yolo Counties.
With more than a quarter million students represented across our region, the convening served as a much needed space for practitioners—both those making systemwide decisions and those leading day-to-day implementation—to connect, collaborate, and identify opportunities to strengthen partnerships that support student success.
Dual Enrollment as a Bridge: Students Share Their Stories
One of the most impactful moments of the convening came from students who spoke about how dual enrollment shaped their identities, ambitions, and sense of belonging.
“For me, dual enrollment has been more than a program—it has been a bridge,” shared one student.
“A bridge between dreams and access, between high school and higher education, and a bridge between who I am and who I’m becoming. As a first-generation immigrant student, I once thought college was far beyond my reach. But through dual enrollment, I learned that belonging in a college environment isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you build through opportunity, curiosity, and persistence.”
Another student, the first at her high school to complete a dual enrollment pathway, reflected on the courage it took to start early—and the pride she now feels:
“I started at 16, just taking high school requirements at the community college for exposure. It’s been amazing. My counselors told me about it, my mom heard about it, and I became the first student at Grant Union High School to complete the program.”
Their stories underscored what research has made clear: dual enrollment doesn’t just open doors—it transforms mindsets, creates momentum, and builds confidence.
Teachers See the Difference Every Day
Teachers echoed the students’ perspectives, emphasizing how quickly students rise to the expectations of college-level work.
“Inside dual enrollment classes, you see how students adapt to timelines and workload. They learn how to communicate with professors and navigate systems like e-services. I’m a huge fan of dual enrollment for high school students,” one instructor shared.
Their testimony affirmed what many practitioners already know: early exposure to college structure helps students build academic resilience long before graduation.
Collective Learning, Shared Wins, and What Comes Next
Participants spoke about the value of hearing firsthand about successful practices and emerging challenges across districts. “My favorite moment was listening to the schools and the success dual enrollment is having to change the lives of young students,” said one attendee.
By the end of the day, the message was clear: regional collaboration is the key to expanding opportunity. The momentum sparked by this convening will fuel continued work across county offices, districts, and colleges in the months ahead.