Before Kyle Radmer started as a full-time student at Fox Valley Technical College, he was already working to calm the nerves that come with starting something new. The summer before his first semester at FVTC, he enrolled in two courses; not to get ahead, but to adjust to college life.
It was not the first time he had faced fear head-on. In high school, Kyle joined a rock-climbing club to overcome his fear of heights.
“It was really scary the first time,” Kyle says. “But I wanted to get over my fear, so I just started to climb. And college felt the same way, so I got started with two summer classes to ease into it.”
Kyle’s transition to college was also helped by eight dual credit courses he took at New London High School, where he graduated in May 2025. An FVTC dual credit class is a technical college course taught by an FVTC dual credit-certified teacher at the high school.
Kyle earned credit at his high school and at the technical college at no cost to him or his school district. By taking metal shop, machining and CAD/CAM classes, Kyle earned 18 college credits and saved almost $2,800 in tuition costs.
In 2024-25, high school students earned 26,043 dual credits through FVTC classes.
Each credit equals $153 in tuition savings.
Now enrolled in the Automated Manufacturing Systems Technology program, Kyle is building on a longtime interest in robotics and engineering.
“I’ve always liked tinkering,” Kyle explains. “I was a huge Lego nut, then Lincoln Logs, and I helped my dad with projects around the house.” That curiosity led him to explore robotics in high school, which eventually pointed him toward automation and FVTC’s AMS program.
“Everybody is happy to be in class,” Kyle said. “The instructors have a wealth of knowledge that I am learning to tap into. Even if they do not have the answer right away, they will make sure they help you.”
Kyle plans to add the Electro-Mechanical Technology program to his studies. With his dual credit head start, he is on track to graduate with two associate degrees in about three years. After that, he will decide whether to pursue a bachelor’s degree or enter the workforce.
And just like rock climbing, college is no longer intimidating Kyle.
“The first few days were like, okay, I’m here, I kind of got this,” he shares. “But as it goes on, I feel like I am starting to get into the swing of things. We are all here to learn.”
