Sarah, RU Dual Enrollment Program Student
St. Thomas Aquinas, Class of 2024
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My name is Sarah Njeri Kimani, and I am a rising sophomore at Rockhurst University, majoring in Nursing with aspirations of attending medical school. I graduated from Saint Thomas Aquinas High School in 2024, where I had the opportunity to take a nursing class through Rockhurst. I chose Nursing as my major because of the vast opportunities this degree will provide.
When I first came to Aquinas, I was surprised by the lack of medically focused classes, given how popular the field is. So, when Rockhurst partnered with Aquinas to offer a nursing class, I knew I had to be one of the first to sign up! This class helped solidify my passion for nursing in so many ways, from meeting medical professionals and asking them questions to practicing IV and catheter insertion techniques on manikins. It also gave me a taste of life on Rockhurst’s campus, making the experience truly immersive.
I got a sneak peek into what it truly means to be a caregiver. Additionally, this was the only dual-credit class I took that allowed students to be on campus, which set the bar and shaped my expectations for college life. I was able to explore labs, classrooms, and the nursing building at Rockhurst. After becoming familiar with the campus and its amenities, I immediately put Rockhurst at the top of my list, signed up for a campus tour, and from that moment, I was hooked.
Ashlynn, RU Dual Credit Program Student
Liberty North High School, Class of 2025
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My name is Ashlynn Lorensen. I attended Liberty North High School and graduated in 2025. This year, I had the pleasure of taking the RU Dual Credit Program course, College Composition. Next year, I will be majoring in Molecular Biology at Rockhurst University. I have always had a passion for the healthcare industry and a desire to attend medical school so I could help make a positive difference in my community. The combination of programs and opportunities offered at both Rockhurst and in Kansas City solidified my decision to pursue my dream of a career in biology here.
My experience in the College Composition Dual Credit Program course offered at my high school was not only engaging and extremely productive, but it also fostered a sense of accountability that will help me prepare for my future at Rockhurst. I took many AP and dual-credit classes throughout my high school years, but I found this course to be the most beneficial one I took, as it helped me grow both as a student and a writer. Most other classes I took seemed to take a very set path, and while my Dual Credit Program course had clear requirements, it provided us with the flexibility to write about what we were interested in, and in turn, I was able to utilize some of my essays for scholarships and applications. Not only was this program flexible and productive, but I was able to earn six credit hours that I put toward my college degree, making this class even more rewarding.
Taking RU Dual Credit Program courses for college credit is also more cost-effective, as it will help me make a smooth transition into my studies at Rockhurst and will also put me ahead in the future. Before I finalized my decision to become a Hawk, I was looking at schools from the University of Nebraska to Missouri State and many in between. Ultimately, the community offered at Rockhurst was unlike anywhere else I had visited, and from my very first steps on campus, I felt welcomed and at home. The combination of incredible people, opportunities, and my great experience in the RU Dual Credit Program course made Rockhurst the clear choice for me."
Henry, RU Dual Credit Program Student
Rockhurst High School, Class of 2025
My name is Henry Huber. I attended Rockhurst High School and graduated in May 2025. I took the Dual Credit Program Honors English IV and Honors US Government through Rockhurst University. I am majoring in molecular biology at Rockhurst University. I didn't necessarily pick my major. I want to become a doctor, and Rockhurst offers a fantastic new early acceptance medical program in partnership with KCU Medical School. For this program, everyone majors in molecular biology because the course requirements are mapped out for that major.
These RU Dual Credit Program courses have helped me gain insight into what college classes will be like. I have observed the flow of these college courses and have acquired new skills to help me succeed before college. These courses are significantly cheaper taking them in high school rather than in college. This was a must for me because my parents were sending three kids to college at once, since I am a triplet. Additionally, I am enrolled in a program at Rockhurst University, and I expect to graduate in three years. This means cramming the same number of credit hours into three years rather than four.
The RU Dual Credit Program classes have helped me earn college credit, which will lighten my load as I graduate in three years. I was considering Saint Louis University, Creighton University, and Rockhurst University for my college decision. What ultimately won me over was Rockhurst's new early acceptance medical program and its close-knit community feel.
Ani Haroian, RU Dual Credit Program Instructor
St. Teresa's Academy
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My name is Ani Haroian and I am the chair of the Modern and Classical Languages Department at St. Teresa's Academy in Kansas City, Missouri. I teach Elementary Spanish I and II (SP 1100 and 1150) and Intermediate Spanish I and II (SP 2100 and 2150). I have partnered with RU as a Dual Credit Program instructor for three years.
The Rockhurst faculty liaisons are a vital component of the success of the RU Dual Credit Program. Their investment in our courses through their regular visits offers professional development opportunities for connections across the secondary and collegiate levels about best practices in our field. The registration and payment process is facilitated in a way that is easy for students and parents to complete. The University frequently follows up with me during the registration process to ensure students are registered correctly and on time.
Teaching dual credit classes through Rockhurst has offered me another opportunity to connect with other instructors of Spanish in Kansas City and grow as an educator through the professional development offerings at the beginning of the academic year. The students rise to the challenge of the RU Dual Credit Program level course. They are motivated to continue to be challenged in their coursework in college, walking in with a significant number of college credits in a particular field of study.