Daniel Illangovan, a homeschooled student from Dade County, has achieved a remarkable milestone—earning an associate degree in Drafting Technology from Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) before receiving his high school diploma.
Illangovan completed the degree through Georgia’s Dual Enrollment program, which allows high school students to take college-level courses for both high school and college credit. His accomplishment highlights the flexibility and opportunity provided by the program to students across the state.
“Affordability was definitely one of the factors I considered when applying to the program,” Illangovan said. “The State of Georgia gives funding for up to 30 credits as a Dual Enrollment student. Along with some other state scholarships, I was able to complete my associate degree with very minimal fees.”
In addition to cost savings, Illangovan says the program gave him a head start in his college journey. “Earning a degree at GNTC has helped prepare me for the future by giving me practical skills, professional software knowledge and confidence to step directly into the workforce,” he said. He plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Southern Adventist University.
Illangovan is one of three standout students who earned associate degrees from GNTC while still in high school. Abby Davenport of LaFayette High School and Dean White of Coosa High School also reached this impressive goal.
Davenport participated in the Dual Enrollment program through the Walker LAUNCH College and Career Academy at GNTC’s Walker County Campus and earned her degree in Drafting Technology. “Getting my degree through GNTC has set me ahead of my peers, has opened many doors for me and will continue to do so in future endeavors,” she said.
White completed his associate degree in Business Management while attending Coosa High School in Rome. He plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Digital Media and Communication at Georgia Highlands College. “Dual Enrollment gave me the opportunity to explore different career options while still in high school,” he said.
In spring 2025, GNTC awarded special cords to 660 high school students who earned college credit through Dual Enrollment, including 23 seniors from Dade County High School.
The Dual Enrollment program is open to qualified high school students in grades 10-12 and allows them to take courses at their high school, at a GNTC campus, or online. The program is nationally accredited by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP).
“I love the variety of ways high school students can utilize Dual Enrollment to best suit their future plans,” said Kristi Hart, director of High School Initiatives at GNTC. “Students can complete up to 30 hours of general education courses that can then transfer to four-year institutions, or they can enroll into a technical program at GNTC and be almost finished, or completely finished in some cases, by the time they graduate high school.”
For more information about GNTC’s Dual Enrollment program, visit gntc.edu/dual-enrollment.