Murray State University and Christian County Public Schools officially marked the launch of the Racer Academy on Monday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the university’s Hopkinsville Regional Campus, celebrating the start of an in-person dual-credit program years in the making.
The Racer Academy allows Christian County high school students to earn college credit through Murray State while still completing their high school coursework, giving them a head start on their college careers and reducing both time to graduation and overall college costs.
“This has been quite a long journey. I don’t think people realize how long this has taken to get the Racer Academy for Christian County students established,” said Christian County Schools Superintendent Chris Bentzel. “It’s almost been four years to the day to get this dual-credit in-person learning here for our community college students established and taken care of. A lot of things had to happen, a lot of conversations, a lot of meetings, but we’re here, and that’s what matters the most.”
Murray State University President Dr. Ron Patterson called the opening a milestone not only for the university, but for the Hopkinsville community.
“This is a momentous occasion for all involved, not just for Murray State, but for Hoptown,” Patterson said. “We’re very excited to have you and continue to strengthen this partnership.”
Patterson credited years of collaboration among local and university leaders for bringing the academy to fruition.
“Obviously, this marks the culmination of four years of planning, and we’re very excited to come on board,” he said. “I want to thank Superintendent Bentzel, and many, many others for your continuous support and voice and time, dedication, and commitment in this effort.”
The Racer Academy is the first in-person, dual-credit program of its kind offered by Murray State at a regional campus, making Christian County the first school system among the university’s 18-county service area to participate in this model.
“When we came to this idea, Murray State, three or four years ago, we said, we’ve never done this before,” Bentzel said. “We’re the first community, the first school system out of the 18 counties they serve, that’s doing a model like this. In-person, dual-credit classes at the regional campus.”
Shannon Slate, director of the Hopkinsville and Fort Campbell Regional Campuses, said the program allows students to complete general education courses before transitioning fully into college.
“Racer Academy is our first ever in-person, dual-credit opportunity for students of Christian County Public Schools to come to our Hopkinsville Regional Campus and knock out their general education credits before they head off to their college experience,” Slate said. “This is the inaugural first day for Monday-Wednesday classes and then tomorrow is the inaugural first day for Tuesday-Thursday classes. We’re looking at about 45 (students) right now with room for more to grow.”
University officials shared that dual-credit programs like Racer Academy are helping students graduate more quickly and with less debt.
“We’re now graduating students on average under four years, 3.99 on average,” Patterson said. “And that’s due to our ability to increase the offerings of dual-credit courses. So students are coming to us with a larger percentage of courses completed.”
Bentzel said the local nature of the program provides an added layer of support for students and families.
“They’re not going to college and just dropped off by their parent and then they’re by themselves,” he said. “We can guide along if there’s any problems from the university side that they’re experiencing. … So it’s kind of like co-op for college.”
Patterson said that keeping students close to home can build confidence and accessibility.
“It allows the students and their families to gain an education in their community,” he said. “It provides comfort. It provides confidence and reassurance.”
Officials from both institutions said the opening of the Racer Academy marks only the beginning of what they hope will be a growing partnership benefiting students throughout western Kentucky.
“This is just a start,” Patterson said. “It’s the very beginning. So, shoes off, and go Racers.”
