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The University of Saint Joseph has forged a new educational partnership with Junior Achievement of Southwest New England Inc. USJ is the first private university in the state to establish this type of program, which creates a pathway for Connecticut high school students to take selected JA courses in their schools and earn academic credit at USJ. The three-year agreement provides participating high school students who maintain a grade of C or higher with a USJ transcript at the completion of each course. Students who enroll in the JA courses through the concurrent enrollment program will be able to take advantage of advanced-level learning in subjects exploring leadership, innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, financial management and personal financial literacy, business, and marketing.
Last year alone, JA delivered high-quality economic education to more than 40,000 Connecticut students in 71 school districts, including 85 high schools throughout the state. “This partnership with USJ further demonstrates our commitment to showing young people a path to a successful future by providing students with the knowledge and skills they need to make their future dreams a reality and college credit to jumpstart their educational journey,” said JA President Jeremy Race.
USJ faculty and JA will identify eligible courses and ensure that all New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) requirements for high school faculty to teach college courses are met.
“USJ is committed to encouraging Connecticut high school students to explore higher education. We are confident that this collaboration with JA will demonstrate to students the value and rewards of pursuing higher education for their future success while they develop important skills and understanding about business and economics,” said USJ President Rhona Free.
Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches more than 4.8 million students per year in over 100 markets across the United States, with an additional 5.2 million students served by operations in 100 other countries worldwide. In Connecticut, JA of Southwest New England annually serves 35,000 students through virtual, hybrid, and in-person programs. JA of Southwest New England, with an office based in Hartford, has been recognized by JA USA for seven consecutive years for financial stability, student growth, and overall management efficiency.