New partnership puts Kalamazoo Public Schools students on path to Spanish minor at Western Michigan University

Contact: Erin Flynn

October 31, 2024

Students walk down a hallway. — Fiona Hagan, third from right, a nursing student with a Spanish minor, shows Kalamazoo Public Schools students around Brown Hall, where they will be taking their Spanish classes.

KALAMAZOO, Mich.— Breaking down barriers to accessibility, Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo Public Schools are launching a new dual enrollment partnership that provides KPS students the opportunity to take advanced Spanish courses at little to no cost. This agreement, aimed at enhancing student learning and creating new academic pathways, opens doors for students to earn college credits in Spanish while still in high school.

"We are thrilled to offer this partnership to KPS students, helping them gain valuable college experience while expanding their language skills," says Dr. Jason Glass, associate vice president for teaching and learning at WMU. "This program aligns with WMU's mission, ‘So that all may learn,’ fostering equitable access to education and promoting pathways for student success."

Starting in fall 2025, KPS students will be able to take WMU's dual-enrollment Spanish courses on their high school campus, providing increased and seamless access to higher education.

A group photo in front of a WMU backdrop. — Students were joined by WMU and KPS faculty and administrators at a celebration of the new partnership in Dunbar Hall.

"The partnership between Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo Public Schools will expand learning opportunities for our students, allowing them to challenge themselves, gain exposure to college life, envision their next level of educational success,” says Dr. Darrin Slade, superintendent of Kalamazoo Public Schools. “The expanding dual enrollment program in Spanish will prepare students to graduate from high school with skills that will help them thrive in a global society."

This program allows eligible students to work toward the equivalent of a Spanish minor at WMU by the time they complete high school. During the 2024-25 academic year, dual-enrollment courses will be offered on WMU's Kalamazoo campus.

Dr. Pablo Pastrana-Pérez, chair and associate professor of Spanish, adds, "We look forward to providing KPS students with an engaging, university-level experience in Spanish that not only challenges them academically but also gives them a head start on their future careers."

The initiative will give KPS students unique access to college-level courses, accelerating their academic journey and helping them prepare for higher education. Wessam Abdelaziz, coordinator of English as a Second Language and World Languages for KPS, calls it a step forward in equity and opportunity.

Dr. Pablo Pastrana-Pérez talks with students at a table. — Dr. Pablo Pastrana-Pérez, chair and associate professor of Spanish, talks with KPS students who will be taking courses through the dual enrollment partnership.

“For years, financial costs have limited students’ access to advanced Spanish courses, but now, with little to no out-of-pocket expenses, we are leveling the playing field,” he says. “This program not only saves families from significant financial burdens but also empowers students to achieve academic milestones that will open doors in college, careers and beyond. This is the kind of access and opportunity that our students deserve."

This partnership underscores the commitment of both WMU and KPS to nurturing the next generation of bilingual professionals, helping students get ahead in their post-secondary plans while enhancing educational opportunities in the community.

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.