JENSON: PSEO PARTICIPATION PROVIDES ‘SNEAK
PEEK” INTO COLLEGE LIFE
High school students who are concerned about
college or looking to start college with some
previous experience and credits can profit from
the example set by Emily Jenson of Estherville.
Jenson first enrolled in classes at the
Estherville Campus of Iowa Lakes Community
College when she was a junior at
Estherville-Lincoln Central High School.
“I enrolled in college credit classes while in
high school because my high school didn’t offer
the advanced and varied courses that I could
take at the community college,” stated Jenson.
The Postsecondary Enrollment Option (PSEO)
program allowed her to enroll in college courses
while a high school student. Under PSEO, high
school junior and senior students are allowed to
enroll in college level courses provided the
high school does not offer a comparable course.
Students attend classes at the college campus.
As an added benefit, high school and college
credit may be earned concurrently.
Jenson earned an Associate in Science degree
from Iowa Lakes Community College while
finishing high school. She then earned a
Bachelor of Science degree in Agro Ecology from
the University of Wyoming and a Master’s of
Agriculture in Agricultural Education from
Oklahoma State University. Jenson is presently a
graduate student in Entomology at Kansas State
University. She plans to teach
entomology/agriculture in either the classroom
or extension.
“PSEO participation provided me with a ‘sneak
peek’ at college life and coursework that I
would not have had,” said Jenson. “When I
enrolled at the university for my first
semester, there were no surprises.”
Her advice to high school students is, “Go and
see your guidance counselor first. They can help
you figure out which courses you qualify for and
tell you about your school’s policies for
enrollment, transportation, etc. Then, pick
classes that interest you as well as basic
courses that will transfer to other colleges.”
Additional information about PSEO classes or
other course offerings may be obtained online at
www.iowalakes.edu or by calling the nearest
Iowa Lakes Community College campus.
