Photo caption: Inaugural cohort of the Summit Academy. From left to right: Star Sikes (Business Pathway), Hannah Mosby (nursing pathway), Alexis Brown (science pathway & phlebotomy certificate), Madison Dietz (nursing pathway), Seth Mesa (nursing pathway), Hailey Goodgion (nursing pathway), Gracie Schritter (education pathway), Riley Ott (nursing pathway) and Elise Hausen (science pathway). Not pictured: Chloe Morris (nursing pathway, phlebotomy certificate & liberal arts). Photo courtesy of Mohave College.
MOHAVE COUNTY – The Mohave College Early College department and Kingman Unified School District (KUSD) have teamed up to launch the Summit Academy. The Academy allows students to meet their high school graduation requirements by taking college classes.
This pilot program allowed 10 seniors to complete their high school coursework and college classes on the Mohave College Neal Campus-Kingman while remaining enrolled as district students. This immersive experience provided them with a true college atmosphere, fostering independence, academic rigor and a sense of belonging in higher education. The program is offered at no cost to students, with expenses covered by KUSD.
The Summit Academy was made possible for high school seniors under the leadership of Tiffany Gaffney-Rheaume, Early College Director and Margaret Stevenson, Advanced Learning Coordinator for KUSD.
“Summit Academy represents a bold step forward in reimagining the high school experience. This has been a shared vision with KUSD for quite some time, and seeing it come to life truly reflects the strength of our partnership with KUSD and their students. Together, we are building confidence, fostering independence, and accelerating academic progress for every student involved,” said Gaffney-Rheaume.
The majority of students from the inaugural cohort plan to return next semester, and growing interest among students is already fueling program expansion. The program is also creating a direct pathway into healthcare careers. Several participating students are completing prerequisite coursework for Mohave College’s competitive Nursing Program and plan to apply for admission in fall 2026 or fall 2027.
Financial accessibility remains a key strength of the initiative. Through WAVE JTED funding, students receive an additional year of financial support beyond high school graduation, helping reduce cost barriers and supporting persistence through degree completion.
The program is producing career-ready graduates. Students Chloe Morris and Alexis Brown are on track to earn their phlebotomy certificates by the summer following graduation, enabling them to enter the healthcare workforce while continuing their nursing education.
In addition to workforce credentials, the program is delivering exceptional academic outcomes. Morris will graduate from high school while simultaneously earning her associate degree in liberal arts, significantly accelerating her postsecondary education and career trajectory.
“I’m feeling very accomplished as I’m approaching the end of high school while also closing in on my Liberal Arts degree. Working with Mohave College all throughout high school I have had the opportunity to obtain my Liberal Arts degree which greatly contributes to building my resume, and serves as a meaningful symbol of my hard work and dedication to my future while still in high school. This achievement has not only prepared me for furthering my education but has motivated me to continue setting ambitious goals for myself,” Morris said.
After completing her first semester at Summit Academy as a high school senior, she found the experience to be “exceptional”. The flexible, mostly online format allowed her to balance her coursework with working as a CNA, while consistent support and clear communication from the Summit Academy team ensured her success. The program gave her the confidence and a strong sense of preparedness for life after high school.
Her ultimate career goal is to become a nurse practitioner in pediatrics to help the lives of young children. Morris is working on her phlebotomy certificate and her nursing prerequisites to start the nursing program in fall 2026. She plans to continue her education after Mohave College. She hopes to earn her bachelors and masters degrees to achieve her career goal.
This initiative showcases the power of intentional collaboration between Mohave College and KUSD. By fully blending high school and college experiences, the Early College Program builds confidence, strengthens academic readiness and gives students tangible credentials before they even receive their high school diplomas.
With strong outcomes, growing interest and clear pathways into high-demand careers, the Early College Program is poised for expansion, offering more KUSD students the opportunity to graduate high school with college credits, industry certifications and a clear path toward their future careers.
To learn more about Mohave College’s Early College Program, visit Mohave.edu/Early-College. Those interested in becoming a student at Mohave College should take the first step and create a student account at www.FutureBighorn.com. Student support teams are available to assist with the application and enrollment process. Spring semester launches in January, with another series of classes starting on Feb. 9, more information on programs and services is available at Mohave.edu.
