College of Arts and Sciences

As the largest dual enrollment provider in Tennessee, the Dual Enrollment program allows high school students to begin earning college credits while fulfilling their high school requirements for graduation. There are nine University High School (UHS) students enrolled in the Ducks Unlimited (DU) class this semester.

"We are really happy to see that there is continued interest in this course and the Ducks Unlimited certificate, especially from high school students," said Dr. Jennifer Mandel, ACRE director and William B. "Billy" Dunavant Endowed Chair, Agritech and Sustainable Agriculture. "With ACRE launching the new Agricultural Studies minor, it's helping students not only find relevant courses, but also meet other students who are interested in the same areas. In fact, a new Registered Student Organization was created last year because of this course: the collegiate chapter of Ducks Unlimited for the UofM."

Mandel teaches the course along with Dr. Shawn Brown. Through the debut of the Agricultural Studies minor, an interdisciplinary minor preparing students to pursue professional STEM careers in the agricultural industry, both professors hope interest will continue to grow among students on potential careers in conservation.

Lauren Beaupre, coordinator, College and Career Planning at UHS said, "Students are drawn to the course because it connects directly to careers in ecology, conservation and environmental policy, which are fields that are projected to be high-wage and high-growth in Tennessee in the coming years. This course also offers hands-on, applied learning that helps students see how their academic interests can translate into meaningful, real-world impact."

UHS has been given the opportunity to pilot the unique course as a dual enrollment option for the first time and looks forward to seeing it expand to other area high schools in the future. "We are especially excited about the potential for this course to spark ideas and professional connections that could lead to meaningful Senior Capstone experiences for students the following year," Beaupre said. After successful completion of the course, not only will these students earn college credit, but they will also receive an Ecology Conservation and Management Certification. The certification was developed and is endorsed by Ducks Unlimited.

"This opportunity is an outstanding example of the real-world college and career experience our students receive at University High School," Dr. Sally Parish, vice provost and director of schools at University Schools said. "Instead of simply reading about ecology in a textbook, our students are able to use the world as their classroom where they get a hands-on approach to conservation. These unique academic experiences expose our students to high demand career pathways while earning industry recognized skills and credentials. We are grateful for Dr. Mandel's visionary leadership and partnership and look forward to our students having these unique experiences, both inside and outside of the classroom."

Mandel said this year students can look forward to several field opportunities outside of the classroom including touring the new Ducks Unlimited Park in Arkansas, planting trees with the Wolf River Conservancy and visiting a state natural area managed by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

"The DU Ecology Conservation and Management Certification provides students with an industry certification created by the leading organization in wetland conservation. As high school students and college students learn about and become involved with Ducks Unlimited's work, it helps ensure the organization's mission — conserving, restoring and managing wetlands and habitats — remains relevant and sustainable for years to come. We are excited to see the University of Memphis expand this course to their Dual Enrollment program, so more high school students have the opportunity to take the DU Ecology Conservation and Management Certification," said Justin Aycock, DU's Manager of Youth Engagement Programs.