Marian University and Fond du Lac announce dual-credit "University Collaboration Credits" program

Marian University and the Fond du Lac School District announced a new dual-credit program, University Collaboration Credits (UCC), that will allow high school students to earn simultaneous high school and Marian University credits and to use university resources such as the library, labs and bookstore. Officials said students will receive official Marian University transcripts for courses taken through the program and will be able to take courses on the Marian campus or at their high school.

The program is intended to lower costs and give students a head start on college by aligning high school courses with Marian University standards and by accrediting qualified K–12 teachers as adjunct instructors for university credit. Speakers said the program already includes courses that ran over the summer and that the next full enrollment opportunity is expected in the winter/second semester; students should consult their high school counselors to enroll.

Program features described by speakers include: courses taught either by Marian University faculty or by Fond du Lac-area teachers who are accredited as adjuncts at Marian, official Marian University transcripts for participating students, access to Marian University facilities and resources, and reduced tuition rates for participating high school students. Tiffany Mikkelkiewicz was identified by speakers as the district’s primary coordinator for the collaborative credits, and speakers directed students to contact their counselors for enrollment details.

Dr. Sarah Garvey, dean of faculty and graduate studies at Marian University, introduced the university’s role in the collaboration and oversaw academic alignment with Marian standards. Dr. Lance Irvin, a biology professor at Marian University, described course offerings he will teach, citing anatomy and physiology and other introductory biology courses.

Speakers said the program already has students enrolled: personal finance ran as an online course this summer, credited as 3 college credits for a half year, and nine students took that course at a reduced rate. Speakers said Marian and the district expect the number of students in UCC courses to grow; one presenter described nine students as the highest number in five years to take Marian courses from the district. The presenters also described short-format options (for example, three-week online sessions over school breaks) and a plan to offer morning on-campus classes for students who can travel to Marian.

Officials described how adjunct arrangements will work in general terms: K–12 teachers who meet university accreditation requirements would remain employed and paid by the school district while also being appointed as adjunct instructors at Marian. Speakers said the arrangement is intended to tap local teaching talent, expand course access and keep instruction local where possible. No new district-wide policy or board action was announced during the presentation.

Speakers also said the program has been developed over the past several months and that some momentum followed the district’s recent failed referendum; Marian and district staff described the partnership as a way to preserve or expand students’ course access despite budget constraints.

For students, the presenters said the next enrollment window for many courses will be the winter/second semester; students should contact their high school counselors and Tiffany Mikkelkiewicz for details and timelines.