Igbalajobi, 2023 LIT Dual-Enrollment Graduate, Continues to Dartmouth

5/30/2023

David Igbalajobi, 2023 graduate of Beaumont Early College High School (ECHS) and the Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) dual-enrollment program, has a story of success as he continues his college career to Dartmouth after obtaining his Associate of Science in Biological Studies.  

The partnership between LIT and Beaumont ECHS allows students to acquire 60 credit hours, and possibly an associate degree, by the time of high school completion. The program targets at- risk populations and provides the opportunity to enable students to take dual-enrolled courses at no expense to their families. Igbalajobi said he chose to attend ECHS because it gave him the opportunity to witness college at LIT from a first-hand perspective.  

"I loved the small learning environment, and I believed it would allow me to learn while being able to create strong relationships with my peers and teachers," said Igbalajobi. "I'm glad I became a dual-enrolled student at Beaumont ECHS and LIT because the program had a remarkable impact on my academic journey. The dual-enrollment program has properly prepared me to be able to navigate college life, easily find educational resources, and will be a beneficial factor in my transition to Dartmouth College. " 

ECHS students have a rigorous curriculum, many work-based learning opportunities and an expectation of 120 community service hours before graduation. Igbalajobi said he had the opportunity to take classes that required more discipline and effort, which made him grow more as a student.  

"Even when I faced some harder classes that required a lot of time, I saw those struggles as ways of making me more capable,” said Igbalajobi. “With the help of the LIT staff and faculty, especially my instructor, Melanie Daleo, I was able to gain vast knowledge in Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, and other science-related fields. LIT Instructors like Mrs. Daleo are knowledgeable in their fields and are passionate about ensuring their students learn and succeed in life.” 

In preparation for graduation, Igbalajobi applied to be a QuestBridge scholar, which connects low-income, high-achieving students to 50 of the top colleges in the nation and offers matched students a full-ride scholarship. He credits Daleo for a letter of recommendation that served as a factor in his application. 

"Most students from Southeast Texas, especially those from low-income families, do not apply to those top schools, like the Ivy League colleges,” said Igbalajobi. “My biggest achievement at LIT/ECHS was receiving a full-ride scholarship of $350,000 and being accepted to Dartmouth College, because I am able to pave a way for other low-income students, letting them know that if David Igbalajobi can do it, they can also. "  

Igbalajobi said he believes his Associate of Science in Biological Sciences will be a stepping stone in reaching his end goal of becoming a neurosurgeon. This passion is driven due to his childhood experience in Nigeria, where he saw first-hand the effects of malaria in his community, where many individuals have little to no access to proper and affordable healthcare. 

“I plan on working with other medical investors in building medical facilities across the globe, especially in the underprivileged areas,” said Igbalajobi. “I want to save lives, put smiles on people’s faces, improve the standard of living for millions across the globe, and make remarkable impacts in the medical field.” 

Igbalajobi encourages other students interested in the dual-enrollment program to take the leap towards their goals.  

“You are provided with a unique opportunity to take LIT classes for free while still at Beaumont ECHS, and you must make the best use of it,” said Igbalajobi. “You must keep moving forward and use your failures, lessons, and acquired knowledge on your journey to make the world a better place.” 

Learn more about the LIT dual-enrollment program at https://www.lit.edu/dual-credit.