Innovative Pathways

Chance Mullins, a 20-year-old with a talent for mechanics, has taken an unconventional route through his education to find himself on the verge of a promising engineering career. On Friday, he earned his bachelor’s degree two years earlier than most traditional students by taking the path from CollegeNow to the Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology (BASMET).

Mullins’ journey began back in 2020 when he was a student at Ontario High School. It was during this time that he stumbled upon an intriguing opportunity – a chance to pursue a college associate’s degree while still in high school. This unique pathway, offered through the CollegeNow program, appealed to Mullins as a way to fast-track his education and enter the workforce sooner.

Mullins went from CollegeNow, a two-year program that allows high school juniors to enter North Central State College on a track to earn their associate degree as they complete their last two years of high school, directly into his junior year of the bachelor’s degree program.

“I have an uncle who’s in engineering and I always thought what he did was interesting,” Mullins recalls. “And then my brother graduated from the North Central State College BASMET program. I just liked the structure of getting out of high school and getting the chance to get a degree.”

North Central State College’s BASMET

program teaches students advanced skills in designing and making high-quality products and systems through hands-on projects and instruction in computer software, math, science, and engineering. Graduates are well-prepared for competitive jobs in various industries.

Choosing this accelerated route meant that Mullins had to bid farewell to traditional high school experiences. Yet, in exchange, he gained access to a world of opportunities that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.

“My favorite part of the CollegeNow program was being around kids from other local schools. We got to have a lot of fun and do a lot of stuff you normally wouldn’t get to do in high school, like building our go-karts to race” he says.

As part of his academic journey, he embarked on an internship, a requirement for the Choose Ohio First scholarship he was awarded. Balancing full-time studies with a demanding internship wasn’t easy, but Mullins saw it as an investment in his future. His dedication paid off, as he now finds himself on the cusp of transitioning from intern to full-time employee.

“I ended up going to CNG; Charter Next Generation,” he explains. “I was full-time during my internship, so I was Monday through Friday, 40 hours. And then once I started back in the fall, my boss asked me if I wanted to stay on part-time. And I was like, yes please,” he says.

CNG, headquartered in Chicago, operates manufacturing facilities in four states, with a significant presence in Lexington, Ohio.  They produce blown, cast, and barrier solutions that are ideal for food, consumer, industrial, healthcare, and other protective applications.

“Following graduation, I will soon be interviewing for a full-time position with the company,” he says.

Mullins credits the unique opportunities available through programs like CollegeNow and Choose Ohio First for paving the way to his success.

Mullins advises, “It’s the best investment because I graduated with only paying about $200 out of pocket. There are so many opportunities for scholarships.”

As Mullins prepares to graduate at the age of 20, ahead of many of his peers, he acknowledges the sense of accomplishment.

“It feels weird to be graduating at 20 because a lot of my friends are still there in four-year colleges now,” he admits. ” I’m ready to start getting into the workforce already.”

For Mullins, the road to success hasn’t been without its challenges. From balancing rigorous coursework with real-world experience, he’s faced obstacles head-on and emerged stronger for it.

“We were tasked to make go-karts using PVC pipes, that’s what we were supposed to do, but it kind of got a little iffy because of COVID. So, it was hard trying to get some of the parts to come in. Ours didn’t end up getting finished just because of all the delays,” he recalls.

Despite the setbacks, Mullins remains undeterred in his pursuit. With a job offer on the horizon and a wealth of experience under his belt, he’s poised to make his mark in the field of engineering.

Mullins was one of 14 students who walked across the stage during the Spring 2024 commencement.

“It’s worth going on for your bachelor’s degree in the BASMET program at North Central because they have a bunch of other fun project classes you get to do and it saves you money,” he says with a smile.

As he looks towards the future, Mullins remains grateful for the support and opportunities that have shaped his journey thus far.