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Article Abstract

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The number of Idaho high school students earning college credit through participation in dual credit courses has risen dramatically over the last decade. This study aimed to investigate whether the sense of belonging among dual credit students influenced their choice to pursue higher education opportunities. The study took place at a small community college situated in a rural region (4) of Idaho and used a qualitative, phenomenological approach. The findings shed light on the critical role of students’ sense of belonging and its impact on their transitions to postsecondary education.

Author(s)

Polly Hulsey, Ed.D., has served as a Grant Administrator and is currently the
Dean of Student Access for the College of Southern Idaho. She oversees
Admissions, Bridge to Success, Events and Outreach, Early College (Dual Credit
and Transition Coordination), and the Off-Campus Centers. Additionally, she
has previously served in City Administration, managed an accounting firm, and
held various roles within the banking industry. She earned her master’s degree
in management and organizational leadership from George Fox University and her
Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with a focus on Higher Education
Administration from Idaho State University.

In December 2023, she graduated from the AACRAO SEM Endorsement Program
(SEM-EP) and was a conference presenter. In 2024, she was selected as an
AACRAO Grant Award Recipient for her doctoral work. Additionally, in 2024, she
led a SEM Field Study at the College of Southern Idaho for the AACRAO SEM-EP
certification program. In 2025, she presented at the AACRAO annual conference
and participated in a conference focus group.

Additionally, she has been involved with the National Alliance of Concurrent
Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) as a Peer Reviewer and a conference presenter.
She is a past graduate of the Harvard Senior Executive Program at the Darden
School of Business, University of Virginia. She previously graduated from the
Caldwell Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program and the Boise Chamber of
Commerce Leadership Program. She has completed the Northwest Community
Development Institute (NWCDI) and received my certification as a grant
administrator for the Community Development Block Grant and Rural Community
Block Grant programs.

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