Cabrini has recently made progress in expanding its educational reach to high school students. On Dec. 6, Cabrini signed partnerships with eight local high schools.
“It’s really about creating educational pathways for students so that they can see themselves going onto college [and] being successful,” Dr. Don Taylor, president of Cabrini, said.
The eight high schools included in the educational partnerships include AIM Academy, Archbishop Carroll High School, Bethlehem Catholic High School, Cardinal O’Hara High School, Hill Top Preparatory, Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School, Pope John Paul II High School and Woodlynde School, according to the press release.
These partnerships will allow high school juniors and seniors to earn up to 30 college credits before they even officially enroll in college. Credits can be earned through dual credit, summer programs and additional educational programs.The benefits of these partnerships, according to Taylor, include the possibility of graduating in three to three and a half years, therefore cutting their debt. It also gives the opportunity of doing a dual major, minor or certificate if they still graduate in four years.
Should a student enroll somewhere other than Cabrini, a majority of the courses will be transferable, depending on the transfer policies at that particular school. Many of them are core classes or niche classes that are of specific interest. Students will have a Cabrini transcript to present to another school if they decide not to attend Cabrini.
Taylor hopes to create more educational pathways as well. One year from now, he hopes to have 15 or 20 partnerships, including institutions that have similar missions. “Cabrini was really founded to serve immigrants, first-generation students, underrepresented minority students and so we started with Catholic high schools so we are building strong partnerships with them.”
Schools in Camden, N.J., have also been reached out to in addition to current students who are revisiting their alma maters to act as ambassadors and speak with the juniors and seniors. Other schools that will be getting visited are ones that are primarily Latino or in an urban environment. Cabrini is already in conversation with Cristo Rey in North Philadelphia to do a major partnership. In addition, there are conversations for partnering with community colleges for pathways.
One day after the signing event of the high schools, Cabrini signed an agreement with La Salle University for a 4+1 MBA (Master of business administration) program. Business majors can apply and enroll in La Salle’s MBA program and finish one year after the completion of their bachelor’s degree.
Junior business administration Bridget Wagner said that she thinks the decision to do this partnership is a good idea. “[It is] awesome that Cabrini has partnered up with La Salle to create a program that people can get their MBA in a short year to improve themselves for the office and for life.”
Just one year ago, similar agreements were put into effect with Temple University for a 3+4 in dentistry, Thomas Jefferson University for a 3+4 in pharmacy and Widener University for 3+3 in physical therapy.
“The students really save a year and get two degrees, [have] less debt, so they’re able to finish up faster,” Taylor said. “I think it’s just a win-win for the students.”
The day of the high school signings, Cabrini welcomed principals, presidents, students and even representatives from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Many of the students who came were currently enrolled in Cabrini courses or had previously completed courses. The provost, dean of the business school and chair of the MBA program for La Salle arrived on campus the next day for the 4+1 signing.
“It created a lot of buzz, it was a very good day for Cabrini and for our partner schools,” Taylor said.
