In 2016 a record number of dual enrollment students from Mesa’s Heritage Academy Gateway completed their associate degrees. Numbered among that distinguished cohort is Jacob Pieczynski, who was only 16 years old when he completed an associate of arts degree program at Rio Salado College. The hard-working Piecyznski also received the New American University President’s Scholarship, which provides recipients with $10,000 annually for four years.
After graduating from Rio Salado in 2021, Piecznyski enrolled at Arizona State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering. He soon found himself flying in a different professional direction, landing in a field that’s more down to earth— leaving the company of clouds to propel through spreadsheets and P & L’s.
“After a year, I realized it wasn’t for me,” Pieczynski said, reflecting on his decision to switch over to ASU’s business school, a choice that eventually led him to graduate cum laude in May of 2025 with a dual major in accounting and sports business.
“I made the pivot in my career when I realized sitting in classes that I didn’t really enjoy the material. I liked learning about the topics as a whole, but when I considered the idea of it as a career it didn’t appeal to me. I always had an aptitude for business, so switching to a business degree was a pretty easy choice.”
Piecznyski looks back on his time at ASU with fondness.
“I loved going to a university, every aspect of it was valuable,” he said. “It’s really a great transition into adulthood… Not only does going to college give you a degree for better career opportunities, but it made me grow so much as a person, make lifelong friends, get experiences I wouldn’t have received if I had gone straight to work after high school, and it has really prepared me for adulthood.”
Piecznyski credits his experiences as a dual student with his ability to find success in both his academic and professional life.
“Rio Salado and my dual enrollment education really set me up for success at ASU,” Piecznyski said. “It helped to build my work ethic, as engineering was really challenging to start with, and the dual-major I ended up pursuing had a really heavy workload. … It helped me learn time management and organizational skills.
“Being a full time dual major student, having a part time job throughout college, being an executive board member for a club at ASU, and maintaining a social life was a lot on my plate for all my years at ASU; but my high school and dual enrollment experience really helped me to learn to manage these without feeling like I was drowning with everything on my plate.”
When asked what advice he would give to students who are getting ready to make the jump to a university, Pieczynski stressed the importance of keeping an open mind about what your future may look like.
“Don’t lock yourself into the major you choose when you first apply to a university,” he said. “When you make that decision you’re so young and don’t have much experience. If you realize that it isn’t for you, don’t waste your time pursuing a degree for a career you won’t enjoy. There’s always other opportunities out there, and from my experience, even though it might be scary, changing paths is so worth it.”
Pieczynski has been working full-time in public accounting at KPMG, a Big 4 firm. Having already passed his CPA exams, Pieczynski is on track to become officially licensed by the end of this year.
“What’s next for me is continuing to build my career in public accounting,” Piecyznski said. “Once I get my CPA, I’ll continue working as hard as I can to progress through my career, get promoted, and move up the ladder.”
Article by Austin Brietta