Newport News Public Schools (NNPS) has announced that its Telecom program will begin offering dual enrollment with Old Dominion University (ODU) this fall. This initiative will allow students to earn college credit for their courses.
According to NNPS, the Telecom program is part of its Career and Technical Education offerings and provides hands-on experience in various aspects of television production. Rising juniors and seniors can enroll through their guidance counselors. Students who complete the program can receive six elective college credits—three for TV-I Intro to TV Production and three for TV-II Directing. The program also offers internships for ODU students, fostering mutual learning opportunities.
“This will be a great opportunity for current and future Telecom students,” said Hedgepeth. “Having been both a Telecom student and ODU student, I know that this dual enrollment program is just the beginning of this partnership. This will truly provide students a new opportunity to enhance their education.”
Old Dominion University, located in Norfolk, Virginia, is a public research university with approximately 24,000 students. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs both on campus and online. The university emphasizes academic rigor, leadership development, and professional growth while collaborating on initiatives impacting the economy, environment, health, and social justice. ODU supports equity and inclusion by providing opportunities for a diverse student body, including first-generation students, veterans, and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Newport News Public Schools serves about 26,000 students across 40 schools. These include early childhood centers as well as elementary, middle, high, and combination schools. Over 1,500 students speak a language other than English within the district. NNPS employs roughly 3,900 teachers, administrators, and support staff with a focus on preparing all students to graduate college-, career-, and citizen-ready. The district provides early learning programs along with advanced science labs and educational technology to support student success. A seven-member elected School Board governs the district under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Michele Mitchell.
