Northern Virginia Community College, in cooperation with Manassas City and Manassas Park school systems, has approved the implementation of a NOVA STEM Academy to begin this summer. Through the Academy, students at Osbourn and Manassas Park high schools will have the opportunity to begin earning college credit toward a STEM degree or certificate program.

NOVA’s STEM Academy will use credentialed college professors to teach dual enrollment courses where students are able to earn credit toward their high school diploma as well as their college transcript when earning a grade of C or higher. Successful students have the ability to complete the first year of an associate degree or career studies certificate while finishing their high school diploma. This paves the way for them to complete an associate degree or certificate one year after high school graduation. Additionally, articulation agreements between NOVA and universities allow students to transfer to many public and private four-year universities for bachelor degree completion.

The pathways at the Academy are numerous and varied, including an associate degree in information technology; information technology certificates in programming, cybersecurity and network engineering; associate degree in engineering; associate degree in automotive technology; and certificates in welding and diesel mechanics.

The STEM Academy is free to students through the support of NOVA, Manassas City and Manassas Park school boards, Micron Technologies and Aerojet.

Courses will be hosted at Osbourn and Manassas Park high schools in addition to NOVA’s Manassas campus. High school juniors and seniors will take two college classes per semester (summer, fall and spring) along with their regular classes during the year.

“The STEM Academy is an excellent opportunity to start students on a pathway toward earning a STEM degree or certificate while providing them with opportunities to explore careers through STEM panels, guest speakers and job shadowing experiences with industry professionals,” said Josh Labrie, program manager for SySTEMic Solutions.

Current sophomores and juniors must apply by May 7 to secure one of the 120 seats available. Applications and details are available at nvcc.edu/systemic.

For more information or to schedule an interview with SySTEMic Solutions Director Amy Harris or Josh Labrie, please call 703-257-6689 or 540-422-3551 or e-mail aharris@nvcc.edu.

By: NOVA Fortnightly Staff

Stay updated by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter.