McKeel student follows in sister’s footsteps, earns Polk State bachelor’s degree in high school

For high school students looking to earn a college degree, Polk State College offers multiple paths. Perhaps no one knows that better than the Burse family.

A dual enrollment student at McKeel Academy of Technology in Lakeland, Emily Burse walked the RP Funding Center stage last month with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management from Polk State. She graduated summa cum laude.

“Being a dual enrollment student, I was able to navigate college classes pretty well,” Burse reflected. “I never felt out of place at Polk State. Professors were always supportive and so were the other students.”

While Emily Burse was able to earn a bachelor’s degree as a dual enrollment student, her older sister Laura took a different route in earning her bachelor’s degree as a high school student. In 2022, Laura Burse was the salutatorian of Polk State Lakeland Collegiate High School, graduating with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management with a concentration in Business Administration.

“Seeing my sister do it, I knew it was possible,” Emily Burse explained. “She helped me a lot in navigating through it. We had a lot of the same classes and professors.”

The aforementioned Lakeland Collegiate High School is one of three college high schools operated by the College, along with Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School and Polk State Lakeland Gateway to College Collegiate High School. The collegiate high schools offer students a real college experience and in most cases, graduates earn their Associate in Arts degree and diploma simultaneously at no cost to them. In May, three collegiate high school students earned bachelor’s degrees. For Burse, a McKeel student since kindergarten, dual enrollment felt like the best move.

“I’ve had the same friend group since kindergarten and I wanted to stay with my friends,” Burse noted. “I wanted the full high school experience. One of the things I liked most about Polk State was having other dual enrollment students in class with me. I knew I wasn’t alone. Everyone at Polk State was very understanding.”

Dual enrollment students and collegiate high school students alike can participate in extracurricular activities such as clubs and sports at their local schools. At McKeel, Burse was a member of the Senior Council and the Student Mentor Program and president of National Honor Society. Outside of school, she dances competitively at The Wright Step School of Dance in Winter Haven.

“I’ve been a competitive dancer for years, so balancing many things has never been an issue for me,” Burse added. “My parents have always made it clear that school came first. If you love something like I do dance, you find a way to make time for it.”

Burse plans on staying local and pursuing a Master of Business Administration at Southeastern University in Lakeland. Burse is unsure of what she would like to do career-wise but hopes to stay involved with dance whether it be teaching or just continuing to take classes. She hasn’t ruled out owning her own studio one day. For her and her sister’s academic successes, Burse credits her parents, Jeff and Joette.

“My parents have always been so supportive and there to help us,” she recalled. “I was always my biggest critic. My parents were always encouraging and motivated me to stick with it.”

More information about dual enrollment can be found here. Those interested in Polk State’s collegiate high schools can find more information here. Burse has been taking college classes since 10th grade. She offered advice for those pursuing a Polk State degree in high school.

“Don’t give up,” Burse urged. “It can be a lot, but there are plenty of people who are there to help.”