As one Governor Mifflin High School student walks across the stage to receive his high school diploma this May, he will do so with another diploma already in hand: his Associates Degree.
Governor Mifflin High School senior Joseph Wentzler earned his Associates in Integrative Studies from Reading Area Community College (RACC) in December 2025 and will walk at the college’s ceremony on May 8, 2026— two weeks before he walks the stage at Governor Mifflin High School’s commencement ceremony.
Wentzler began working on his degree in Fall 2022 during his freshman year at Governor Mifflin High School by taking a dual enrollment course, AP United States History and completing his placement test for RACC. In Spring 2023, he enrolled in his first class through RACC. Wentzler officially completed his coursework for his Associates degree in fall 2025.
While many Governor Mifflin High School students earn some college credit through dual enrollment courses, Wentzler is the first student in Governor Mifflin School District’s history to earn a full Associates degree during his high school career. Making the achievement even more impressive, only 15 of his credits, or a total of four classes, were dual enrollment courses offered through the district.
The remainder of the 61 credits needed to earn the degree were taken in his own time through RACC, which Wentzler says required a great deal of determination and time commitment.
“It basically never stops for me. I go to school, I come home, and I do more school,” said Wentzler.
While a myriad of factors played into Wentzler’s decision to work toward a full Associate’s Degree, he shared that his primary motivation was logistical in nature.
“I really was looking to save money and time, plus I wanted to be able to get into the field and get a job placement earlier,” he said, “I also think it shows future employers that I might be more driven and motivated than other candidates.”
Wentzler also shared that he was motivated, in part, by his family.
“My mom went to RACC,” shared Wentzler, “so there’s some family roots there. I’m really honored to be able to call myself a RACC graduate, too.”
After graduation, Wentzler plans to continue his education at Albright College, where he will pursue a degree in Secondary Education with a focus in History and a minor in English—a pursuit which, unsurprisingly, he has already begun.
“I’ve been taking some classes there for the past three summers,” Wentzler says with a chuckle, “and I took one this fall and two in the spring semester. So, it’s a next step, but it’s also not really going to be new to me.”
While much of Wentzler’s time during his high school career has been spent in the classroom, he also has made time to pursue education of a different kind. In 2023, he became an FAA Part 107 licensed commercial remote drone pilot. In his spare time, he enjoys providing aerial coverage of nature, car shows, and community events.