FLINT, Mich. – In addition to transitioning to virtual classes for its current students, Kettering University has launched a new early enrollment program for students admitted to the entering 2020 class, an online emergency fund to help students, virtual panels and more to keep the community connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the first time in the University's history, high school students have the opportunity to jump-start their Kettering education and earn credit toward their degree by taking virtual courses April 13 through June 19.

As part of SEEK: Success through Early Enrollment at Kettering, admitted and transfer students may enroll in up to two of four virtual classes offered. Those courses are:

• COMM-101 Rhetoric & Writing I (4 credits) – Counts toward all Kettering University degree programs.
•  MECH-100 Engineering Graphical Communication (4 credits) – Counts toward degree requirements for Mechanical and Industrial Engineering majors. May apply to minors, concentrations or electives for other majors.
•  CS-101 Computing & Algorithms I (4 credits) – Counts toward degree requirements for Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Applied Physics and Industrial Engineering majors. May apply to minors, concentrations or electives for other majors.
•  MGMT-104 Management Concepts (4 credits) – Counts toward degree requirements for the Management major. May apply to minors, concentrations or electives for other majors.

Students who enroll in one or more of these courses are eligible for a scholarship that covers tuition. Space is limited, and registration is required by April 8. For more information, go to  kettering.edu/startearly.

“Our new SEEK program gives high school students who have been admitted to Kettering an opportunity to experience our nationally renowned STEM program while also earning valuable college credit now,” said University President Dr. Robert K. McMahan. “We are creating a number of opportunities for the Kettering community to keep our students and alumni connected to the University during this period of social distancing. The SEEK program is one of many ways that our faculty and staff are demonstrating in these challenging times their commitment to the well-being and success of our students, alumni and families.”

Other initiatives and support services recently launched include:

• The Admissions department created an online chat on the University website with team members responding immediately to questions from prospective students about application status, enrollment information, financial aid opportunities and more. 
• Two virtual panels have featured more than 50 students and alumni discussing current experiences, career paths and more.
•  Prospective students and families are able to visit campus through its  virtual tours or schedule a virtual meeting with one of the Enrollment team members via phone or through Google Hangouts or GoToMeetings. For more information, go to kettering.edu/undergraduate-admissions/visit.
• An online Keep Me Kettering Emergency Fund has been established for alumni to contribute assistance for students facing financial challenges stemming from COVID-19 that could prevent them from completing their degrees. For more information, go to build.kettering.edu.

About Kettering University 
Kettering University, formerly known as GMI, is a Flint, Michigan-based private, nonprofit university recognized as one of the nation’s premier science, technology, engineering and business leaders in higher education. Dedicated to offering a curriculum that uniquely integrates classroom learning with experiential co-operative opportunities, Kettering consistently ranks in U.S. News & World Report’s listing for elite specialty schools. The University has more than 27,000 square feet of lab and research space used by faculty, students and industry collaborators, and boasts the only ABET-accredited applied physics program in the world. It also houses the first and only FIRST Robotics Community Center on a college campus in the United States. According to a 2019 analysis of federal data ranking 4,500 schools nationwide, Kettering University degree holders have the highest lifetime return on investment (ROI) in the state of Michigan. The University celebrated its centennial year in 2019. For more information, go to kettering.edu.