College Credit Plus program at OHIO Eastern gives students a head start on college

Taya Cooper

At 91ԭ�� Eastern, the College Credit Plus (CCP) program is helping regional students take their first steps into higher education with confidence. For many, CCP has become more than an opportunity to earn college credit while in high school, it has offered a pathway to faster degree completion, reduced costs and a smoother transition into college-level expectations.

The program allows eligible students in grades 7–12 to enroll in college courses at no cost to families. For students like Marli Krol, Taya Cooper and Riley Zwick, CCP served as a pivotal starting point in pursuing meaningful academic and career goals.

A Head Start That Lasts: Marli Krol

For Krol, a Martins Ferry High School graduate, the decision to enroll in CCP courses in 2021 was transformative.

“Looking back, it’s one of the most meaningful choices I’ve made in my education,” Krol said.

Krol completed multiple courses at OHIO Eastern before finishing high school in 2023. She later earned her bachelor’s degree in health administration from Florida Atlantic University in just two years and is now pursuing a master’s degree.

“What made the program so powerful was more than just earning credits early,” she said. “It taught me independence, discipline and how to take ownership of my education.”

Nursing Student Taya Cooper Pushes Past Doubt

For Cooper, a sophomore nursing student, participating in CCP was an act of courage and self-belief.

Cooper first learned about CCP in middle school but assumed she wasn’t “smart enough” to enroll. That changed during her freshman year of high school, when she committed fully to her education and decided to give the program a chance.

“I enrolled for my sophomore year because I trusted myself,” Cooper said. “I studied harder than I ever had before, and I earned all A’s as a 15-year-old my first year in college.”

The coursework was challenging, but the rewards were significant. Cooper earned 56 college credits before graduating high school, completing her entire first-year college curriculum and most of her additional general education requirements.

“Getting a head start has taken so much stress off my plate now that I am in harder nursing classes,” she said.

Cooper encourages high school students who are hesitant to trust themselves.

“If you are willing to put in the work and time, you will succeed,” she said. “Don’t let other people’s doubts get to you.”

Despite sacrifices, including long study hours and spending limited time at her high school, Cooper said the long-term benefits outweighed the challenges.

“I reminded myself that high school is temporary, but the knowledge gained is forever,” she said.

Education Major Riley Zwick Builds Confidence Through CCP

Pictured: OHIO Eastern students Riley Zwick, Mylee Hoover, and Josie Zwick

For Zwick, an Early Childhood and Elementary Education major, CCP was a goal long before she entered high school.

“I decided to do CCP on my own with a little encouragement from my parents,” Zwick said. “It was something I knew I wanted to do even before I got into high school. So, when I became a high school sophomore, I began the CCP program.”

Through the program, Zwick gained a firsthand understanding of college-level expectations, including how professors structure coursework and what volume of classes she could realistically handle.

“The CCP program prepared me for my college journey by giving me insight into what my class expectations would be like,” she said.

Because she completed so many credit hours through CCP, Zwick entered OHIO Eastern as a sophomore, a major advantage for a student pursuing a degree in education, where early field experiences help set the tone for later student teaching.

Zwick said the support she received from OHIO Eastern faculty, particularly education professor Mrs. Ciroli, made a lasting impact.

“She was always willing to help and answer any questions that I had,” Zwick said. “I am grateful for her guidance and willingness to help.”

For high school students unsure about enrolling in CCP, her advice is simple: start small and see what you can handle.

“I would tell them to go for it,” she said. “It helped me so much and allowed me to get so many classes out of the way with no cost at all. If you’re nervous, just start by taking one or two classes.”

About College Credit Plus at OHIO Eastern

CCP offers several benefits to students and families, including:

Early exposure to college-level academics
Opportunities to complete general education or introductory major courses
Flexible options for online or on-campus learning
Significant cost savings

Many CCP students report improved confidence, stronger academic habits and a clearer sense of their long-term goals.

How to Learn More

Students and families interested in participating in College Credit Plus at OHIO Eastern can contact:

Jennifer Kellner-Muscar
Director of Student Services
Email: kellner@ohio.edu

More information is available at:
/dualenrollment/collegecreditplus/resources/eastern

Students interested in enrolling in CCP courses for the fall 2026 semester must apply by June 30.

Tags:

Regional Higher Education

Eastern Campus

Published

March 10, 2026

Author

Staff reports