SPRINGFIELD, MA – American International College (AIC), in partnership with the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership (SEZP), has been designated as a Massachusetts Early College Program by the state’s joint Early College Committee. The AIC–SEZP partnership is one of eighteen new Early College programs announced by the Healey-Driscoll Administration. AIC is the only private college west of Worcester to receive this designation.

Beginning in Fall 2025, the program will launch in partnership with Duggan Academy in Springfield with a wall-to-wall model in which every student participates. Students will have the opportunity to earn up to 60 college credits—at no cost—before graduating from high school. Courses will include MassTransfer-eligible credits and focus on high-growth, high-wage fields such as health sciences, education, and criminal justice.

“Early college is an important and effective tool for making higher education more accessible and affordable for every Massachusetts student,” said Governor Maura Healey in a press release. “These new partnerships give more young people the opportunity to earn college credit at no cost while still in high school, setting them on a path to success and helping to close opportunity gaps.”

Early College programs are a central element of the administration’s Reimagining High School initiative to prepare students for college or careers and expand access for those historically underrepresented in higher education.

The new AIC–Duggan Academy program builds on a long-standing partnership between the two institutions. Through earlier collaborations, Duggan students have already earned AIC college credits with strong pass rates, and college matriculation among participants has continued to grow. The new program is designed to build on that success and help even more students access college by removing common barriers.

Key program features include:

• Personalized support, including small cohorts, academic coaching, and dedicated advisors for multilingual and exceptional learners
• Advising to promote executive functioning and college readiness
• Culturally responsive teaching and staffing to reflect and support the student population
• Universal access, with 100 percent of Duggan students participating regardless of prior academic performance

This initiative reinforces AIC’s commitment to Springfield’s youth and complements similar partnerships with other local high schools. It also supports workforce development goals outlined in the Pioneer Valley Labor Market Blueprint.

“We’re proud to partner with Duggan Academy and the Springfield Empowerment Zone on this Early College initiative,” said Michael Dodge, executive vice president for academic affairs and student life at AIC. “This designation reflects our shared belief that all students deserve opportunities to succeed. Early College is about more than earning credits—it’s about building the skills, confidence, and support networks students need for college and life. It’s a direct investment in their future and the future of Springfield and aligns fully with AIC’s mission to expand access and advance opportunity.”

Founded in 1885, American International College (AIC) is a private, co-educational, doctoral-granting institution located in Springfield, Massachusetts, comprising the School of Business, Arts, and Sciences, the School of Health Sciences, and the School of Education. AIC supports and advances education, diversity, and opportunity for its students and the community.