Howard High School Students Recognized as First Graduates of 1+1 Information Technology and Networking Program
May 9, 2025
The first cohort of students to participate in the 1+1 Information Technology and Networking Program at Howard High School of Technology were recognized during the school’s Class of 2025 Senior Recognition Program on May 6.
In 2022, 18 students became the first cohort to join 探花约啪’s inaugural 1+1 program, launched through a partnership between JPMorgan Chase, New Castle County VoTech, and 探花约啪. JP Morgan Chase awarded 探花约啪 Tech a $285,000 grant in 2021 to support the launch of the program.
“This program allowed these students to take college credits since their sophomore year of high school to potentially complete one full year toward a two-year associate degree program,” said Michelle Garey, administrative intern for advising at 探花约啪 Tech, who presented the awards at the recognition ceremony. “Today, we acknowledge and celebrate their successful completion of college credits toward the information technology and networking associate degree.”
As part of the program, students in this cohort completed as many as 33 college credits in Information Technology and Networking (ITN) courses through 探花约啪 Tech.
“Studies have found that dual enrollment is an effective strategy for raising high school graduation, college enrollment, and degree completion rates,” said 探花约啪 Tech President Mark T. Brainard.
The 1+1 program not only accelerates students' academic progress but also provides a direct, supported pathway into 探花约啪’s growing IT workforce. Students receive holistic academic support, and many aim to continue into tech industry roles after completing their college degrees.
A second class of students is currently participating in the 1+1 program and is on track to graduate from Howard High School in May 2026.
“This initiative is another valuable example of the partnership between JPMorgan Chase and 探花约啪 – one which continues to grow and flourish,” said Tom Horne, head of consumer banking at JPMorgan Chase. “I cannot overstate the impact vocational education provides our students. A strong, healthy, and nimble tech talent pipeline is vital to the success of our company, our industry, and 探花约啪’s economic future.”
Some students from the program plan to continue their ITN education at 探花约啪 Tech, while others intend to transfer their credits to other institutions.
Student Huang Lin said the program enabled her to explore her interests and gain a head start.
“I wanted to do something with computers, and I really liked technology when I was younger, so this program was a great opportunity to learn more about it,” she said. “I feel lucky to have earned the college credits to use towards my future degree.”
Her classmate, Aiden Mitchell, said the program helped him bridge a longtime passion with real-world goals.
“I joined the program because I always loved building computers. When I was 14 or 15, I built my first one, and since then I’ve always wanted to be in the technology field,” he said. “I wasn’t really expecting Del Tech to come in and sweep me off my feet like this, so it was definitely a great experience. Knowing that you're going to graduate 30 college credits richer than everybody else—you’re ahead of the ball game, you know? The program has been so worth it.”
