2015

ECCC and MUW announce partnership in electrical technology Special to The Star

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DECATUR- Students com– pleting the associate of applied science degree in electrical technology at East Central Community College in Decatur can soon continue their studies toward a bachelor's degree at Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, thanks to a partnership between the two schools. The new ArticulationAgree– ment, signed by ECCC Presi– dent Dr. Billy W. Stewart and MUWPresident Dr. Jim Borsig during a ceremony on the Decatur campus, allows East Central graduates to transfer a predetermined amount of career and technical credit towards a bachelor of tech– nology degree at MUW. "The announcement of today's agreement between our college and MUW is another step in the fulfillment of our 2020 Vision strategic plan and the institutional commitment of Teaching and Learning," said Stewart during the Nov. 11 cer– emony. 'This partnership allows East Central to design and implement coherent, struc– tured educational pathways leading to certificate and/ or degree completion as well as stackable credentials that enhance students' opportuni– ties for career advancement and upward mobility. "Today's announcement also serves as an example of the cooperation and collegiality among the state's community colleges and four-year universi– ties for the benefit of our stu– dents. They will be the major beneficiaries of today's announcement and that is the way it should be." Dr. Borsig said, "One of our goals at MU\V is to make it easy and seamless for commu– nity college students to transfer and complete their degrees. We are also in the workforce devel–

Submitted photo

East Central Community Col ege President Dr. Billy Stewart, left, and Mississippi University for Women President Dr. Jim Borsig sign an articulation agreement, which will allow East Central graduates to transfer a predetermined amount of career and technical credit towards a bachelor

of Technology degree at MUW. advance workforce education in Mbsissippi." According to Dr. ~ott Tol– lison. dean oi the ~1UW Col– leg· oi Business and Profe::.· sionc. Studie~. the ~C>al of the program is to' blend the skills learned in the technical field. the current theories of a chosen discipline, and the crit· ical thinking of a liberal arts education together to develop well-rounded graduates ready for career advancement Tollison said "The faculty and leadership at East Central are always looking to provide opportunities for their gradu– ates. We are thrilled that we are again partnering with such an amazing team, this time building pathways for Elec– trical Technology graduates." Dr. Teresa Houston, ECCC vice president for instruction, added "Technical degrees have been perceived aster– minal degrees for many stu- • dents because of the inability

Louisville Career Advance– ment Center. Jordan Robinson, electrical technology TMCCCT grant instructor, said of the new partnership, "This program will make it convenient for all electrical technology students at East Central, including those at our Winston County facility, to pursue a bachelor'" degree and enhance their job skills. I think this is a great opportunity for our students, ECCC and MUW also have a transfer program for students enrolled in the East Central Culinary Arts Technology pro– gram, which began in 2014. For more information on career and technical programs offered at ECCC, contact Wayne Eason, dean of work– force education, at 601-635- 6210 or toll free 877-462-3222. The email address is weason@eccc.edu. and we look forward to working with MUW."

to transfer technical credits. As we begin to look for ways to allow technical students to continue their education, agreements like this pave the way. East Central Community College is committed to preparing our students for the next level, and, if further edu– cation is the next level, we must establish clear pathways to foster that ability to do such. This is an exciting time for the students and faculty at East Central to collaborate and expand their educational and professional capabilities." The idea behind the new agreem~nt was spurred by the Trade Atljustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (I'MCCCT) grant, which ECCC was awarded in 2014. The $2.5 mil– lion grant is helping provide workforce training opportuni– ties in Winston County, including coursework in elec– trical technology offered at the

opment business and are excited that we can help