Dual Enrollment helps Jaison Maxwell fashion a college career early

Jaison Maxwell, a high school student in Charlotte, has already made a name for himself in the fashion scene. He showcases his work in numerous fashion shows and belongs to the Charlotte Fashion Collective. He studies fashion, design, and digital arts in high school while also attending Central Piedmont Community College through the Dual Enrollment program.

At Central Piedmont, his focus is on business administration and liberal arts. He’ll graduate with an associate degree this spring and attend SCAD Atlanta to double major in fashion design and fashion marketing.

An ambitious learner, Jaison originally hoped to take on a different program, allowing him to take classes for college credit while he still attends Northwest School for the Arts. However, he didn’t have the funds, and his career and technical education coordinator suggested the free opportunity at Central Piedmont instead.

“I was very nervous because [students here come from] all different ages, genders, and backgrounds,” Jaison says of his initial experience at Central Piedmont. “When I answered the introduction discussion post, [people said], ‘Hi, I’m a veteran, or I’m a single mom, or I’m a grocery store worker,’ and I’m a high school student. I didn’t have much to share about my life story.

“I thought that meant that they’re going to be better than me, know more, write more, or get a higher grade. But once I started taking the classes and realized that I could measure up, it definitely lessened my nerves.”

Jaison steadily increased the number of classes he took at Central Piedmont, and he acknowledges it led to some anxiety. Eventually, he created a spreadsheet and learned to plan ahead. Plus, taking many classes online helped.

“Taking classes online through Dual Enrollment has allowed me to pick up and go wherever I need to instead of having to be set to a specific time,” Jaison says.

Jaison also learned there is no perfect way to balance time but rather takes it all day by day. 

“If there are more assignments for my high school, then I have to take more time in high school,” he says. “If there are more assignments at Central Piedmont, then I have to focus on Central Piedmont. If I have to do a fashion collection at the last minute, then I just have to do that.”

He has a very busy schedule, which also includes serving as president of his high school’s DECA chapter. He is part of the Black Student Union, Fashion Club, and National Honor Society as well. 

He says there was no defining moment that made Dual Enrollment the right choice. Rather, he simply started and made the grades to keep going. It all ultimately paid off.

“I would most definitely recommend doing Dual Enrollment,” he says. “It’s helped me so much with not only my high school classes, my GPA, and my confidence with education, but it allows me to have a more flexible way of learning.”