BENTONVILLE -- Northwest Arkansas Community College and University of Arkansas officials came together Friday to sign an agreement they said represents increased collaboration between their two schools.
Evelyn Jorgenson, the college's president, and Dan Ferritor, the university's interim chancellor, signed a memorandum of understanding in front of a small gathering at the college.
The agreement states both schools "will support and recognize the quality of the degrees that each institution provides and will encourage degree completion both at the associate degree level prior to transfer to the University of Arkansas and completion of the baccalaureate degree after transfer."
For those NWACC students who choose to transfer before completing the associate degree, the university will encourage the reverse transfer option by providing the college with the names of students who have completed the necessary courses to qualify for associate degrees.
For UA students who are unsuccessful at the university level, the university will advise and encourage those students to enroll at NWACC to prepare for an eventual return to the university, according to the agreement.
"I believe we have always been in a partnership with Northwest Arkansas Community College," Ferritor said. "And without that partnership, it would be a loss to students in Northwest Arkansas. Because we know students move in and out of both institutions, and the one thing they expect from both of us is a quality education."
The agreement, which the two schools began discussing about six months ago, formalizes the institutions' relationship and will lead to more sharing of information between them, said Ricky Tompkins, the college's vice president of learning.
The two schools already have about 15 transfer agreements related to specific academic programs. The agreement signed Friday is more of a general one that cements a philosophy of cooperation, Tompkins said.
"We have to work together," Tompkins said. "As close as we are to each other, it just makes sense."
National statistics show community college students who complete associate degrees before transferring are more successful at the receiving university than those community college students who transfer prior to receiving an associate degree. Both the UA and NWACC will provide advising material and activities necessary for the success of transfer students, according to the agreement.
The agreement also stipulates both schools will furnish each other with names and contact information "to facilitate a smooth transfer pathway and/or secure clarifications for the benefit of student success."
The agreement will be evaluated on a regular basis, but at least once every three years, the agreement states.
NW News on 12/12/2015