MOHAVE COUNTY – While most high school seniors are focused on graduation and life after high school, Kage Mikes is already advancing toward his long-term career goals. Determined to pursue dentistry, he is taking college classes alongside his regular high school schedule and completing prerequisite courses needed for a dental program before he earns his diploma.
Mikes is a student at Lake Havasu High School and a participant in Mohave College’s Early College program. The program allows high school students to earn college credits while still in high school. Through partnerships with participating high schools, many students receive free tuition, eliminating costs for families and helping students build credits toward college degrees, certificates or future university pathways.
He decided to join the program because it gave him an affordable option to attend college and pursue the program he wants close to home. Participating in the program through Mohave College has also helped him realize the importance of education.
“Mohave College’s Early College program boosted my trajectory and gave me the chance to go straight into the dental program after graduating from high school,” Mikes said.
His mother, Melissa Mikes, said she is proud of what her son has accomplished through the Early College program. She has seen him master his time management skills and achieve anything he sets his mind to.
She said the Early College program is a great opportunity for high school students because it helps keep them motivated to graduate, continue taking college classes and develop the ability to handle the rigor of college coursework.
Another factor in Mikes choosing Mohave was that his desired program is offered close to home. He decided to pursue a degree in dental hygiene because he wants to help people take care of their teeth and have confident smiles.
In addition to managing high school and college coursework, he also holds a part-time job. He is able to balance school and work with the help of an employer who offers flexibility in his schedule. At Mohave, he is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and enjoys being part of the honor society because it reflects the hard work he has put into his studies.
To learn more about Mohave College’s Early College program, visit Mohave.edu/Early-College. Registration for the summer and fall semesters is now open, so students are encouraged to sign up for classes before they fill up. Create a student account at FutureBighorn.com. Anyone looking for more information about the enrollment process can contact the Admissions team at Mohave.edu/Admission.
Kage Mikes is a senior at Lake Havasu High School but also an Early College student at Mohave College. He’s on the path to finish his prerequisites to hopefully start the dental hygiene program in the fall.