Adrian College signs MOU with JPEC to expand dual-credit opportunities for high school students
Posted Friday, November 14, 2025
Author: Mickey Alvarado
Adrian College and Jackson Preparatory & Early College signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) Nov. 12 to expand dual-enrollment opportunities, strengthen transfer pathways and improve access to higher education between the two institutions.
JPEC President Jonathon Marowelli met with Adrian College President Jeffrey Docking on Adrian’s campus to sign the MOU.
“I just hear such great things about what JPEC is doing,” Docking told Marowelli before signing the document. “Your reputation precedes you. With everything going on right now concerning the challenges in higher education, innovation is the name of the game and that’s what I really respect about what you are doing. We know change is difficult, but as we say here, innovate or die.”
JPEC, located on Jackson College’s campus, was founded in 2014 as a 6-12 charter school, to give young students the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and an associate degree with free tuition.
Marowelli said every student who enrolls with JPEC has the expectation of earning at least 15 college credits. It’s a public school, so anyone can apply.
“I think our average is 52 credits,” Marowelli said. “And we pay every dime of the student’s tuition.”
JPEC mirrors its school year calendar with college and university schedules, ending in June, so when the students begin dual enrolling it’s more of a seamless integration.
“It’s really about setting the students up for success and then kind of getting out of their way,” Marowelli said.
JPEC student Gabby Harvel is already taking courses for credit at Adrian College in the athletic training program. Marowelli said when he spoke with Harvel a week prior, she said when they laid it all out, all she needed to do was two years of college after graduating high school to earn her master’s degree. Marowelli said that is not uncommon to see at JPEC.
Credits earned at Adrian College will be awarded as dual credit and applied toward both JPEC graduation requirements and Adrian College degree programs.
JPEC graduates who complete the early college program with a minimum GPA of 3.0 will be guaranteed admission to Adrian College and be eligible for freshman scholarship programs, provided they meet the college’s eligibility requirements.
Adrian College will provide dedicated advisors for JPEC students who will work in cooperation with the JPEC school counselor.
“Our counselors will create a seamless academic and cultural bridge for those students,” Adrian College Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs Frank Hribar said. “We’ll provide dedicated advisors for the students, who will work in cooperation with the JPEC school counselor. Our staff will also explore summer bridge programs, academic boot camps and peer mentoring opportunities for the students.”
Adrian College, founded in 1859, has several other partnerships including a strategic one with Rize to launch new majors, minors and certificates in high-demand fields; an agreement with the University of Toledo to earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from UT and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from Adrian College simultaneously; and collaborations with local high schools and districts, including Lenawee ISD and Mott Community College, for credit transfer and early college programs. The college also partners with organizations including Scouting America for college credit and with the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute and Henry Ford Health for hands-on learning experiences.
The MOU between Adrian College and JPEC begins Jan. 1, 2026, and remains in effect for three years. It is not legally binding but represents the good-faith commitment of both parties. Implementation will be overseen by a joint partnership committee with two representatives each from Adrian College and JPEC.
