UC's Youngest December Graduate, Brooke Kirkland, Is Receiving Her Associate's Degree at Age 18

The youngest University of Cincinnati December 2013 graduate is

Brooke Kirkland

, 18, receiving a Liberal Arts degree.

Brooke just completed her high school studies in May 2013. Clermont Northeastern High School was the granting institution for her high school diploma since she was home schooled until she came to UC Clermont during her junior year in high school through the Post Secondary Enrollment Options Program (

PSEOP

). The PSEOP program enables high school students to earn college credit and/or high school graduation credit when they take classes at UC. Brooke earned a 3.4 grade point average at UC.

My hometown and high school:

I have grown up in Cincinnati (Batavia) all my life. I love living in this city. I have also been home schooled my entire life! I started attending the post-secondary program at UC Clermont my junior year of high school and have been attending ever since.

Motivation for receiving my degree:

My entire family and my friends have been so encouraging and have really helped me strive towards earning my degree. They continued to believe in me even when I continued to doubt in myself. God has also given me strength and provided opportunities for me when I thought there were none.

Goals:

My ultimate goal is to graduate with my master's degree in Communication and minor in Spanish.

Plans:

After graduating this year with my associate in Liberal Arts, I plan to take spring semester off to save some money and hopefully intern and gain experience with communications. From there, I will transfer to UC main campus in the fall and complete the rest of my degree. I am so excited!

Brooke adds: "

I want to thank UC Clermont for giving me such an amazing opportunity and providing me with the education that I needed for my future.

I have really liked Clermont a lot – enjoyed the experience here. It's close to home. I've met so many people, and the professors are really good, responsive and engaging. I have a younger sibling who is following in my footsteps, starting at UC Clermont as a high school junior. I'm also excited to go to UC's main campus. This was a good transition starting here and then on to a big university setting at UC.”

RETURN

to main Commencement news announcement.