Transferring to a four-year college or university from Glen Oaks Community College will now be even simpler thanks to new transfer agreements signed with 25 Michigan colleges and universities.
“The initiative, directed by the Michigan Community College Association, provides clear direction and guidelines to assure students a smooth transfer,” said Glen Oaks President David H. Devier. “This is a great benefit to all of our students, and with a large percentage of our students being high school age, it means that more students now have the opportunity to obtain college credit while in high school enabling each to transfer to their next institution with advanced standing.”
Transfer agreements allow Glen Oaks students to transfer more credits to four-year schools in the areas of biology, business, criminal justice and psychology. The new agreements specify major-specific courses that students should complete while enrolled at Glen Oaks that are common across all institutions in Michigan. The identification of these courses makes it easier for students to complete essential courses before deciding where to transfer.
Glen Oaks advisors now have details available for students about which courses they should complete and how those courses apply to degree programs at the participating universities.
“Transferring from community college to a four-year college or university is more common than ever,” said Erica Lee Orians, executive director of the Michigan Center for Student Success at the Michigan Community College Association. “Our community colleges want to ensure that students receive credit for the courses they have completed when they take the next step in their education.”
The initiative was funded through the Fiscal Year 2018 state budget which included a one-time appropriation to support this initiative, the redesigned Michigan Transfer Network at www.mitransfer.org, work to build stronger math pathways, and efforts to award credit for military experience.
A study conducted by the National Student Clearinghouse found that 52 percent of bachelor’s degree earners in Michigan previously enrolled at a community college, which is higher than the national average of 49 percent.
The Michigan Center for Student Success is leading the statewide initiative for the MCCA in partnership with the Michigan Association of State Universities and the Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities. The project continues through fall 2020 and Glen Oaks is working on completing additional agreements in other academic program areas.
ABOUT GLEN OAKS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Glen Oaks Community College is a quality provider of education programs serving the needs of residents and businesses of St. Joseph County and beyond. The College, established in 1965, sits on 320 acres of land in rural Centreville, Michigan. GOCC offers 13 associate degree programs and 20 certificate programs. The student-to-faculty ratio of 20:1 affords students personal attention and provides opportunities to for them to accomplish their goals and grow and succeed in a supportive, ethical and academic environment.
ABOUT THE MICHIGAN CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS
The Michigan Center for Student Success, founded in 2011, serves as a hub connecting leadership, administrators, faculty, and staff in their emerging and ongoing efforts to improve student outcomes, emphasizing linkages between practice, research, and policy. The Center has led statewide initiatives focused on reengaging adults, developmental education, transfer, veterans, and advising. The Center is part of the 16-state Student Success Center Network working with over half of the community colleges across the nation.
ABOUT THE MICHIGAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE ASSOCIATION
The Michigan Community College Association fosters collaboration, connection, and partnerships among the 28 Michigan public community colleges and their stakeholders. The MCCA provides strong legislative and public advocacy in Lansing and throughout Michigan, works to improve the image and credibility of community colleges, and advances numerous shared initiatives through the Michigan Center for Student Success, Michigan Colleges Online, and the Michigan New Jobs Training Program.