WTC President Dr. Laurie Sharp (center, in black) with WTC Dual Credit and Course Sharing Director Molli Fleming (center, in blue) and the Sweetwater ISD Board of Trustees.
For 61 Sweetwater ISD students, the path to college has already begun. Over the past three academic years, those students have earned 320 college credit hours and two certificates through Western Texas College (WTC), gaining a head start on their education while still in high school.
WTC President Dr. Laurie Sharp wants to build on that progress by working more closely with Sweetwater ISD to create additional opportunities for students and make college and career pathways easier for families to navigate.
Speaking to the Sweetwater ISD Board of Trustees at their meeting earlier this week during the time reserved for public comments, Sharp highlighted the district's growing dual-credit participation and emphasized the importance of building relationships that help students succeed.
Dual-credit enrollment among Sweetwater ISD students has increased steadily, from 20 students during the 2023–2024 academic year to 22 in 2024–2025 and 24 in 2025–2026.
While those numbers reflect positive growth, Sharp encouraged district leaders to consider the individual students and families behind the statistics.
"As a former classroom teacher, I know that what matters most is the student behind each number," Sharp told trustees. "The student who discovers, perhaps for the first time, 'I can do college-level work.' The family who begins to see a more affordable path to higher education."
Rather than focusing solely on increasing dual-credit enrollment, Sharp outlined a broader approach to collaboration that would bring WTC and Sweetwater ISD educators together throughout the academic year.
She expressed interest in working directly with district counselors, teachers and administrators to identify student needs, explore additional academic and career pathways, and simplify the process for families interested in college-level opportunities.
Sharp also acknowledged feedback from school districts across WTC's 10-county service area, emphasizing that the College must remain willing to adapt its practices to better serve students.
Among those efforts, WTC is reviewing its faculty credentialing processes and exploring ways to increase access to dual-credit instruction without compromising academic quality.
Sharp stressed the importance of personal connections in education, recognizing the value of instructors who can answer questions, encourage students and build relationships that contribute to their success.
In addition to strengthening dual-credit opportunities, WTC is developing educational pathways that help students connect classroom learning with future careers.
One recent development is the College's approval to offer a new Vocational Nursing Prerequisite Certificate, which will provide students with another starting point toward a career in nursing.
The new certificate reflects WTC's broader efforts to create accessible educational opportunities that respond to workforce needs and student interests.
For Sweetwater families, these conversations could lead to more ways for students to explore college and career options before graduating from high school.
Sharp's visit to Sweetwater ISD reflects her commitment to meeting with school district leaders throughout WTC's service area, listening to their experiences and identifying ways the College can become a more visible and responsive educational partner.
She emphasized that lasting partnerships depend on more than formal agreements. They require ongoing communication, mutual trust and a shared responsibility for student success.
"As President of Western Texas College, I want Sweetwater ISD to know that we value this partnership," Sharp said. "We value your leadership, your educators, and most importantly, your students. And we are committed to being a more visible, accessible, and responsive partner in the years ahead."
For WTC, the goal extends beyond the number of students taking college courses. It means helping more young people recognize their potential, giving families clearer options for the future and connecting education with meaningful opportunities.
That commitment reflects the message guiding Sharp's leadership at Western Texas College: People First. Purpose Always. Forward Together.