Dublin students can fast track health care careers with new MGA partnership

Middle Georgia State University and Dublin City Schools will offer juniors and seniors the chance to earn college credit and fast track nursing and health care degrees.

DUBLIN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – High school juniors and seniors in Dublin interested in pursuing health care careers now have an exciting opportunity to fast track their education through a new partnership between Middle Georgia State University (MGA) and Dublin City Schools.

Journi Bostic, a junior at Dublin High School, says she will enroll in the program next school year.

“When you get the opportunity, you just have to take it because this is just a great opportunity to get the experience,” said Bostic.

With the partnership, students like Journi will have the chance to complete their college education in as little as three years.

Dublin High School Principal Dr. Michael Overstreet spoke about the significance of this opportunity for students and their families.

“It’s extremely important, particularly for the students as well as their parents, because they’re getting a leg up, so to speak, on their college matriculation towards their Bachelor of Science degree in nursing or an associate degree here at Middle Georgia State University,” he said.

MGA Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. David Jenks mentioned the broader impact on the community.

“85% of our students at Middle Georgia State University stay in the region,” he said. “That 85% of students earning an extra $1.4 million over the lifespan contributes an extra $61 million of economic impact to the Middle Georgia region on a regular basis. So the power of education to actually change lives, change generationally, families and change the Middle Georgia region is probably one of the most powerful aspects of these types of articulation agreements. And we were just thrilled to be partners with Dublin.”

Journi, who wants to become a physical therapist, shared her career motivation.

“I always see people out in wheelchairs and can’t walk anymore or paralyzed, may have one leg, may need a prosthetic,” Journi said. “Physical therapy helps with that. And I always just want to help people gain their abilities back that they may have had.”

Starting next fall, juniors and seniors at Dublin City Schools will be able to take advantage of this opportunity. MGA will also provide students with tutoring and online resources.