Arkansas Tech University and the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton signed eight new transfer agreements during a ceremony at the UACCM Fine Arts Auditorium on Thursday, Dec. 10.
The agreements will provide students seeking specific degrees with a seamless transfer process from UACCM to ATU.
The memorandum of understanding was signed by UACCM Chancellor Lisa Willenberg and ATU President Dr. Robin E. Bowen.
“Arkansas Tech University is committed to creating seamless transfer opportunities for graduates from two-year colleges,” said Bowen. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to partner with UACCM to provide its graduates with a pathway to continue their studies in pursuit of a baccalaureate degree. Partnerships such as this one help Arkansas produce a well-trained, adaptable workforce and drive economic development.”
Accounting, criminal justice and criminology, elementary education, psychology, sociology and three business administration tracks (business management, data analysis analytics and digital marketing) are included in the structured pathways that students will be able to follow through the attainment of associate degrees from UACCM and baccalaureate degrees from ATU.
To be eligible, UACCM students must earn the appropriate Associate of Arts degree or Associate of Science degree related to ATU’s majors and have a 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Students pursuing one of these agreements will have access to UACCM’s academic counselors to enroll in the correct courses and to ensure a smooth transfer process.
“Throughout the past three decades, thousands of students from the River Valley area have taken advantage of the education and skills training presented by our institutions, and partnerships of this nature will only increase those opportunities, which in turn will further strengthen the region’s workforce and continue to vastly improve the lives of those in our area,” said Willenberg.
During the ceremony, Willenberg highlighted the deep connections between the two institutions, noting that ATU advised UACCM (then Petit Jean Technical College) in the process of adding general education classes in the early 1990s. ATU faculty members taught classes at the UACCM campus in the interim until the college achieved its North Central Association Higher Learning candidacy status in 1994 and hired its own general education instructors.
“This is such a special day, and helps bring our partnership with Arkansas Tech University full circle,” said Willenberg.
UACCM and ATU currently have nine existing 2+2 transfer agreements benefiting students across the region. These 2+2 plans are enhanced agreements that go beyond the Arkansas Course Transfer System (ACTS), which guarantees the transfer of applicable credits among all of the Arkansas public colleges and universities.
This news release was developed in collaboration with the communications team at UACCM.
