by Alex Haessig
When SUPA visited the classes of longtime instructor Carol Charles at Nottingham High School, it didn’t take long to see what her students are gaining. Whether enrolled in EEE 370: Introduction to Entrepreneurship or MAR 301: Essentials of Marketing, the students in Carol’s classes share a common thread: they are walking out more prepared, more confident, and more purposeful about the road ahead.
Take Arianna Howard, a senior who has taken multiple SU courses—marketing, history, psychology, and even physics. For her, the program’s value is straightforward: “It kind of prepares me for what’s coming because I’m going to college next year.” The rigor of college-level coursework hasn’t scared her off—it’s motivated her. She credits supportive teachers with making even difficult subjects approachable, and she points to a string of college acceptances as proof that the hard work is paying off. “I see how hard I’m working, and I’m able to keep moving forward,” she says.
For Arianna Barnes, SU’s entrepreneurship course arrived at exactly the right moment. With plans to study engineering or computer science in college alongside a business minor, she saw the course as a rare chance to pursue both interests under one roof. “This class was like, okay, we’re combining two things I love—technology and business,” she explained. Beyond content, Barnes walked away with something equally valuable: the study habits and time-management skills that college demands. Her advice to peers? “Definitely take it, but you must stay focused and make sure you’re on top of your work because it’s very easy to fall behind.”
Then there’s Issrah Ismail, who brought something most students don’t: an actual small business. Already running a henna temporary tattoo service, Issrah didn’t enroll for an Introduction to Entrepreneurship—she enrolled for a roadmap. The course’s case studies on real entrepreneurs who faced failure before success gave her practical perspective. “It teaches you, like when you are starting a business, you have to be patient,” she said. “You can’t just expect to have a business and let it grow overnight.” Issrah also credited the course with sharpening her research skills—a habit of mind, she noted, that extends well beyond the classroom.
Across all three profiles, a clear picture emerges. The students in these classes aren’t simply earning college credit—they’re reshaping how they think about challenge, preparation, and their own potential. SUPA bridges the gap between high school and higher education by giving students an honest preview of what college expects and the tools to meet those expectations. These Nottingham students aren’t just ready for what comes next. They’re looking forward to it.
Learn more about EEE 370: Introduction to Entrepreneurship and MAR 301: Essentials of Marketing.