A JUMP START FORWARD

MONSERRAT MEDINA HERNANDEZ

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND HUMAN SCIENCES

Secondary Elementary Education & ESL

Monserrat Medina Hernandez has thought about a future in education since she was a child. As she started to confirm her plans to be a teacher, she was met with an opportunity to get a jump start on her college education—an opportunity she fully embraced.

Through Dual Enrollment at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), Monserrat started on her journey toward being a teacher before she became a college student. As a first-generation student, she was unsure of her next steps after high school. It was the encouragement and support of a high school teacher, who also teaches at UNO, that led her to dual enroll and earn college credit early by taking an Introduction to Education course through UNO.

“So many of us took his advice and I dual enrolled in the class. I’m very grateful for this because I know some people that had to take that same class their first year. I crossed that off before even graduating from high school and didn’t have to worry about that class,” she said.

This jump start enabled Monserrat to have flexibility in her course scheduling. She was able to explore more courses and fields in her first year, ultimately determining a second major and a minor. “I never thought I’d go into minoring in Latino/Chicano studies, but during my first year, I got interested in it and found that some of my classes overlap with my Spanish and education classes,” she said.

"I feel a lot of support with the Teacher Scholars Academy and in general with the education program. I feel like they’re always there for us, so it has definitely been a good experience.”

— Monserrat Medina Hernandez

Dual Enrollment also provided Monserrat with an affordable way to launch her college career. By taking dual enrollment courses, she saved money on tuition and even secured scholarships to cover the already low cost. One of her high school teachers also recommended she apply for the Teacher Scholars Academy which provides financial and academic support, hands-on teaching experience, and community with a cohort of other high-achieving teacher candidates.

“I feel a lot of support with the Teacher Scholars Academy and in general with the education program,” she said. “I feel like they’re always there for us, so it has definitely been a good experience.”

Monserrat is entering her third year at UNO and considering plans to explore additional areas of study while she’s enrolled – all because dual enrollment provided her the flexibility to see everything that UNO has to offer.