At SUNY Sullivan, High School Students Get a Head Start on College — and Confidence

For some students, college can feel distant — something to think about later, after graduation, after adulthood begins.At SUNY Sullivan, a growing program is trying to change that by bringing college into the high school classroom.Through its College in High School (CIHS) program, SUNY Sullivan partners with local school districts to offer college-level courses to students in grades 8 through 12. The classes count for both high school and college credit, giving students an early start on higher education — often at a fraction of the cost.On Tuesday evening, the college will host a College and High School Information Night for students and parents interested in learning more about how the program works and what opportunities it opens up.“It’s really about getting an early start,” said Jason Kaplan, an associate professor at SUNY Sullivan and coordinator of the CIHS program. “Students are earning high school credit and college credit at the same time, in an environment they already know — their own classrooms.”Kaplan says that familiarity matters, especially for students who might not yet see themselves as college-bound.“It builds confidence,” he said. “They get a taste of what a college course is like and realize, ‘I can do this.’ For some students, that realization actually changes the direction they see for their future.”The program is designed not just for students who already plan to attend college, but also for those still figuring out what comes next. Courses often align with SUNY’s general education requirements — including English composition, speech, and precalculus — making them widely transferable whether students attend SUNY Sullivan, another SUNY campus, or continue on to a four-year degree elsewhere.“We’re very intentional about making sure these are real college classes,” Kaplan said. “The academic rigor has to match what students would experience on our campus.”That rigor is supported through close collaboration between SUNY Sullivan faculty and high school teachers. The college provides professional development, training, and classroom observations to ensure instructors meet SUNY standards and that course content stays aligned.“We’re not just putting our name on a syllabus,” Kaplan said. “There’s real faculty engagement and ongoing conversation.”SUNY Sullivan's Eleanor Davis says timing is critical — especially for families navigating academic planning.“High schools matriculate students through advisors, so parents need this information early,” Davis said. “February is not too soon to start thinking about next year’s courses and long-term pathways.”She says the program has made a profound difference for students who once doubted their academic potential.“We’ve had students who didn’t see themselves as college material at all until they took these classes,” Davis said. “One student went on to graduate as a valedictorian, earned the SUNY Chancellor’s Award, completed the Promise Scholarship with no debt, and now has a well-paying job in nursing.”Stories like that, she says, are common.Today, more than 700 Sullivan County students are enrolled in SUNY Sullivan college-level courses through the program, with roughly 150 courses offered. In two local high schools, students can even earn an associate degree by the time they graduate.Tuesday’s information night will bring together admissions staff, faculty, and advisors to answer questions about course options, degree pathways, and credit transfer.For families unsure whether the program is right for them, Kaplan says the event is designed for exactly that.“We like people who are on the fence,” he said. “This is a chance to get the full picture — the benefits, the challenges — and make an informed decision.”—