Double Achievement: 2026 Dual Credit Students Graduate from BSC | Bismarck State College

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Double Achievement: 2026 Dual Credit Students Graduate from BSC

Posted: May 01 2026
Double Achievement: 2026 Dual Credit Students Graduate from BSC
At Bismarck State College, we are committed to helping students get an early start on their academic and career goals. The Dual Credit program is the keyway we make that happen. This opportunity allows motivated high school students to enroll in college-level courses while still in high school, earning both high school and college credits simultaneously. 

This year, we are proud to recognize a large group of outstanding students who have completed their high school journey while also graduating from BSC with associate degrees and certificates. Read more to learn about their unique dual-credit experience, future plans, and advice for students who may be considering the Dual Credit pathway at BSC.

Jacob Logan

Legacy High School 
Degree(s) from BSC: Associate in Science, Spanish 1 Certificate
 
Jacob plans to attend North Dakota State University for two years to study pre-med with minors in chemistry and spanish before continuing to medical school at the University of North Dakota. His goal is to become an anesthesiologist or surgeon and provide care for underserved populations. He says dual credit classes saved him significant time and money, helping make the path to medical school feel more manageable. His advice to future students is to take as many dual credit classes as possible.
 

McKenzie Schilke

Young lady in black shirt Legacy High School
Degree(s) from BSC: Associate in Science

McKenzie plans to attend the University of North Dakota after high school, where she will dual major in Biology and Communication Sciences and Disorders as she works toward her dream of becoming a pediatric oncologist. Motivated by a desire to complete some college coursework early and shorten her time in college, McKenzie says the program allowed her to save on costs while helping her feel more confident and prepared for higher education. She especially enjoyed taking more advanced classes alongside familiar classmates. Her advice to future students: do your best! 
 

Nicolas Sanford

Young man sitting in field at sunsetLegacy High School 
Degree(s) from BSC: Associate in Science, Spanish 1 Certificate 

Nicolas plans to attend the University of North Dakota, majoring in music while also pursuing a pre-med track, with the goal of working as a hospitalist in rural or underserved areas. He has been taking dual credit courses since his sophomore year and will graduate with over 70 credits from Bismarck State College, which he says has saved significant time and money and helped him complete his general education requirements early. Nicolas feels well prepared for college and expects a smooth transition since he has already experienced college-level coursework. His advice to future students is not to be discouraged by dual credit classes in high school, noting that they are challenging but beneficial for the future.
 

Rayne Hertel

Girl in long light blue dressLegacy High School
Degree(s) from BSC: Associate in Science

Rayne plans to attend the University of North Dakota to pursue a degree in Biology, with the goal of becoming a physician assistant. Motivated by a desire to grow as a learner, Rayne took dual credit classes and says the experience helped save about two years of college time and a significant amount of money. Rayne also feels well prepared for college-level coursework and valued the small class sizes and strong relationships built with teachers and peers. Rayne’s advice to future students: you can do anything you set your mind to.
 

Sophia Tarpley

Girl in white dressLegacy High School 
Degree(s) from BSC: Associate in Science

Sophia plans to attend the University of North Dakota after high school, where she will major in Kinesiology with a minor in Rehabilitation and Human Services as she works toward becoming a pediatric physical therapist. Motivated by the opportunity to get ahead on college credits while saving time and money before attending a four-year university, Sophia says BSC Dual Credit classes helped prepare her for the transition to college by teaching her time management, responsibility, and how to balance a college-level course load. Her advice to future students: don’t stress too much about dual credit classes… they may seem intimidating at first, but they are very helpful in the long run.
 

Alexis Thompson

Girl in black leather jacket Century High School 
Degree(s) from BSC: Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Spanish 1 Certificate

Alexis plans to attend Barnard College of Columbia University to study political science, with plans to continue to law school. Her ultimate goal is to become a U.S. Senator. She was motivated to take dual credit classes by her love of learning and says the experience has been very positive, helping her gain knowledge across disciplines while learning how to balance responsibilities. Alexis especially appreciated the range of courses offered and the ability to focus on subjects she is most interested in. Her advice to future students is to take on educational challenges, stay dedicated, and always ask questions, noting that today’s learners are tomorrow’s leaders.
 

Aspen Morgenstern

Student sitting on a rock Legacy High School 
Degree(s) from BSC: Associate in arts, Associate in Science

Aspen plans to attend the Hair Academy and then continue at Bismarck State College to earn a bachelor’s degree in business, with the ultimate goal of running businesses related to hair, tattooing, and other personal interests. She chose dual credit courses for the opportunity to knock out two years of college for a fraction of the price. Aspen says the experience was challenging but helped her build strong time management and stress management skills, while also saving significant time and money. Her advice to future students is that you are capable of more than you think, and although the work can be difficult, it’s worth it in the end. 
 

Tyler Moe

Young man in navy blue suitMandan High School
Degree(s) from BSC: Associate in Science

Tyler plans to attend the University of North Dakota after high school with the goal of entering the medical field as a rheumatologist. He was motivated to take dual credit courses because he wanted to stay ahead academically and challenge his abilities through more advanced coursework. Tyler says the program helped him save thousands of dollars and about two years of college time, while also providing strong support throughout his experience. His favorite part of dual credit was getting ahead on his college journey, and he encourages future students to take full advantage of BSC’s program while in high school.
 

Madalyn Meckle

Legacy High School
Degree(s) from BSC: Associate in Science

After graduation, Madalyn plans to attend the University of Mary to major in Biology with a concentration in Wildlife and Conservation, with the goal of working in an educational role within an environmental department or agency. Motivated by a desire to challenge herself and make the most of her high school experience, Madalyn says dual credit courses helped her save money while preparing her for future academic success. She especially enjoyed taking courses outside of her usual interests and discovering new subjects she truly enjoyed. Her advice to future students: work hard and take dual credit courses if you can.
 

Caleb Meidinger

Boy outside, in plaid shirt Mandan High School 
Degree(s) from BSC: Associate in Science

Caleb plans to attend the University of North Dakota to pursue a bachelor’s degree or higher in the engineering field. He was motivated to take dual credit courses to challenge himself with more advanced topics and better prepare for college. Caleb says the experience helped him save both time and money while giving him a head start on his degree. His advice to future students is to take as many dual credit classes as possible while in high school.
 

Dylan Czapiewski

Young man by motor cycle outdoors Legacy High School
Degree(s) from BSC: Associate in Science, Certificate in EMT

Dylan plans to attend the University of Mary for a couple of years before transferring to the University of North Dakota to for the Physician Assistant program, with the goal of becoming a physician assistant. Dylan says Dual Credit helped him feel more prepared for college-level work and made the transition less stressful. His advice to future students: take as many dual credit classes as you can…it’s worth it!

 

Rihanna Fleckenstein

Woman in black dress, standing downtown Legacy High School
Degree(s) from BSC: Associate in Science

Rihanna plans to attend the University of Mary this fall to major in Radiologic Technologies as she works toward a career as an MRI technologist or radiation therapist. Rihanna says BSC Dual Credit courses gave her a valuable head start on her future while helping her grow academically and prepare for the transition to college-level coursework. She especially enjoyed knowing she was investing in her future through every class she completed. Her advice to future students: work hard, accept the challenge, and do yourself a big favor by taking dual credit classes.

 

Danica Grossman

Girl in white dressLegacy High School
Degree(s) from BSC: Associate in Science, Spanish 1 Certificate

Danica plans to attend the University of Mary in fall 2026, majoring in Biomechanics with a pre-physical therapy concentration, with the goal of becoming a physical therapist and working with geriatrics or children in rehabilitation. She chose dual credit courses to challenge herself and gain experience with higher-level content. Danica says the program has helped her save about two years of time and money toward her degree, allowing her to move more quickly toward earning her doctorate. Her advice to future students is to take classes that challenge you and support your learning, as dual credit can help set you up for success after high school.
 

Hannah Gendron

Legacy High School 
Degree(s) from BSC: Associate in Science, Spanish 1 Certificate

Hannah plans to attend Palm Beach Atlantic University, where she will major in Pre-Med Biology and Business Administration with a minor in Spanish, with the goal of becoming a pediatric oncologist. Hannah says the dual credit experience not only saved her money but also provided strong support and allowed her to learn from some of her favorite teachers while staying in her high school. Her advice to future students is to take as many dual credit classes as possible, noting that it can shorten the time spent in college and better prepare you for what’s ahead.
 

Marissa Merkel

Girl in white dress in field Legacy High School
Degree(s) from BSC: Associate in Science

Marissa plans to attend NDSU after high school, where she will major in Finance as she works toward a career as a financial advisor or financial analyst. Encouraged by her parents and teachers, Marissa decided to challenge herself through BSC Dual Credit courses and says their support gave her the confidence to succeed in higher-level classes. She especially appreciated earning college credit while still completing high school requirements and valued the teachers who created a true college-level learning experience. Her advice to future students: take as many dual credits classes as you can because in the end it will save you money and time. Enjoy every moment you get!