Compass Community Schools’ Midtown campus has launched a unique partnership with Southwest Tennessee Community College to offer a Spanish translation certificate program for the 2026-27 school year — a first-of-its-kind in Tennessee for high school students.
The dual enrollment program allows Compass Midtown students to earn college credit while working toward a Spanish Translation Technical Certificate from Southwest. Amid the growing demand for qualified translators and interpreters across multiple industries, students will gain the skills, credentials, and professional training required to pursue careers as translators and interpreters in healthcare, legal, educational, and business settings. Upon completion, students will be equipped with a strong foundation for entering the workforce immediately after graduation.
"Many of our high schoolers already possess valuable bilingual skills, as approximately 71% of our students are Spanish speakers,” says Jennifer Cartwright-Alejo, director of college counseling at Compass Midtown. “This program will create opportunities for our students in high-demand industries, such as the medical field, where bilingual professionals play a critical role in serving diverse communities. This inaugural cohort will include juniors, who will complete a two-year program, and seniors, who will complete an accelerated one-year pathway to earn the certificate. Our goal is to help our students graduate with a clear pathway to career success.”
Courtesy of Compass Community Schools Midtown
Compass Community Schools Midtown
Designed for heritage Spanish speakers, high schoolers will complete coursework in Spanish grammar, translation theory, and certification preparation, as well as internship opportunities through community partnerships that provide real-world experience.
"As a first-generation Latino college graduate, I know firsthand how education can transform lives and open doors to new opportunities,” says Jose da Silva, vice president of strategic enrollment and student success at Southwest Tennessee Community College. “Being bilingual is a gift, and becoming a certified translator turns that gift into opportunity. A Spanish interpretation and translation certificate empowers bilingual students to turn their language skills into a meaningful career while serving as a bridge between cultures and communities. Your language is more than a skill — it is a strength, a profession, and a pathway to making a lasting impact."
The partnership idea was intrigued from a counseling meeting that Cartwright-Alejo had with a senior. “We were discussing her college and career goals, and she expressed that she had always wanted to be a translator,” she says. “Since she [student] started translating for her family from a very young age, she felt it was only natural for her to continue that path within her community.”
After researching translation certificate programs, Cartwright-Alejo discovered there was already an established certification offered at Southwest. “It seemed increasingly apparent that this partnership was a natural fit for both schools,” she says. That same senior is attending Southwest in the fall to pursue this program.”
Compass Midtown continues to seek innovative ways to remove barriers and expand opportunities for students. Many of their students choose a college or university pathway, while others pursue military service, trade schools, apprenticeships, or direct entry into the workforce. “Our responsibility is to ensure every student graduates with the skills, experiences, and confidence needed to succeed in whatever path they choose,” says Cartwright-Alejo.
One of the strongest features of this program — especially for dual enrollment students — is the built-in fieldwork component, which connects classroom learning directly to real workplaces across Memphis and Shelby County,” says Dustin Williams, associate professor of Spanish Languages and Literature at Southwest Tennessee Community College.
“In the final semester, students don’t just study interpretation — they actually complete supervised fieldwork in professional settings, where they apply their skills in real time with real clients. This approach is especially valuable because students are not waiting until after college to gain experience — they are building a resumé, developing professional confidence, and networking with potential employers while still in the program. By the time they complete the certificate, they’ve already worked in real offices, handled authentic communication challenges, and demonstrated the ethical and technical skills that employers are looking for.”
Students are selected for the program based on academic performance, attendance, and college readiness, ensuring participants are prepared for the rigor of college-level coursework. More than 15 students are set to participate this fall semester.
And regarding growth and expansion of the program, Sondra Morris, Compass Midtown’s head of school states:
“Communication and translation skills are valuable across all of these industries, making this partnership an important addition to the opportunities available to our students. We fully anticipate this program growing just as our other college and career pathways have expanded. Because this is a dual enrollment program, students must meet Southwest Tennessee Community College's entrance requirements. However, we have the academic support, advising structures and student interest necessary to continue increasing participation.”
To learn more about dual enrollment courses and certifications offered to students at Compass Community Schools Midtown, visit compassmemphis.org.