Shelton State and TCHS Launch Freshman to Future

August 31, 2026 — Shelton State Community College (SSCC) and Tuscaloosa County High School (TCHS) are partnering to launch “Freshman to Future: The WKO 101 Experience,” an innovative dual enrollment initiative designed to introduce ninth-grade students to college coursework, career readiness, and the Shelton State campus experience.

Through the pilot, approximately 400 Tuscaloosa County High School ninth graders will participate in WKO 101 – Workplace Skills during the 2026 – 2027 academic year. Students will participate in two cohorts with approximately half completing the experience during the fall semester and the remaining students participating in spring 2027.

The initiative gives students an opportunity to earn college credit while developing workplace and college-readiness skills. Students will also experience Shelton State’s campus, programs, faculty, and college environment firsthand.

“Freshman to Future is about helping students see themselves as college students earlier in their educational journeys,” said Beverly Foster, Associate Dean of Enrollment Management at Shelton State Community College. “We want students to understand that college is within their reach and that Shelton State is here to help them begin building their future now. TCHS is one of the many schools with which we plan to pursue this initiative.”

Freshman to Future: The WKO 101 Experience represents Shelton State’s continued commitment to expanding access to college credit, strengthening career readiness, and helping students transition successfully from high school to higher education and the workforce.

For additional information about Shelton State Dual Enrollment, visit sheltonstate.edu.