PINEVILLE, La., -- Louisiana College (LC) President Dr. Rick Brewer and Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) President Monty Sullivan signed a memorandum of understanding in a January 9 press conference, creating a partnership that grants qualified, transfer students from 2-year colleges expanded opportunities that include possible junior class rank at LC, academic scholarships, and online studies in Criminal Justice, Business, and RN to MSN.
"As Central Louisiana Technical Community College and the other branches of the Community and Technical College System grow, qualified students from such institutions will have the opportunity to matriculate seamlessly into Louisiana College," Brewer said. The partnership provides students "more opportunity to get a Christ-centered education, whether as a working adult or a 20-year-old student from a two-year college."
President Sullivan said, "The signing of the transfer and scholarship agreements with Louisiana College is yet another example of our commitment to provide all of our students with an opportunity to continue their education at one the state's finest four-year institutions."
"The leadership of Dr. Brewer and Dr. Clark cannot be overstated," Sullivan added. "This institution is a different place today than it was just a few short years ago. And that is because of leadership; it is because of the faculty and staff; it is because of the people of Louisiana College."
Dr. Clark is LC's vice president for academic affairs.
"We are thankful that Dr. Brewer and his team see the benefit of engaging with community and technical colleges and welcoming our graduates with open arms. The future of our partnership with Louisiana College is extremely bright, and I look forward to even more announcements in the future."
Louisiana College's leadership "is responsive to the needs of the economy, students, and employers," said Sullivan, who "hopes that we can share that same spirit with our students."
Noting Louisiana College's heritage of producing leaders that span the state, Sullivan said the LCTCS wants to extend that same level of success to its students. "Students all across Louisiana should have the same opportunities for this kind of education as others had in this community."
"It's a win-win for students across the state, including some families who may not be able afford a four-year education to begin, but can afford a two-year education," Brewer said. "Now we're giving them an opportunity join us at Louisiana College."
National statistics reveal that only 14 percent of two-year school graduates will complete an undergraduate degree, but Brewer said the partnership "will enhance enrollment at Louisiana's 2-yr schools and at Louisiana College" and perhaps raise that percentage.
The partnership between LCTCS and LC includes an "Academic Achievement Award" scholarship for qualified members of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, the scholarship will be considered a "gap scholarship" to help make up the difference in financial shortfall among tuition, mandatory fees, and other awarded financial aid. The Academic Achievement Award scholarship will not exceed $5000 annually or $2500 per semester.
"You can argue with a lot of things, but success isn't one of them," said Jimmy Sawtelle, chancellor of Central Louisiana Technical Community College who spoke at the presser. "The success Dr. Brewer has brought with this articulation agreement is certain to bring additional success."
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About Louisiana's community and technical colleges:
Last year, Louisiana's community and technical colleges served and provided instruction to over 150,000 students, transferred over 15,000 students to four-year institutions across the country, and graduated more than 24,000 students - 80 percent of whom graduated with a credential in a high-demand, high income program. Our colleges have earned a national reputation as colleges of excellence and as shining examples of efficiency and productivity. In 2016, Lumina Foundation, one of the nation's most respected educational and philanthropic organizations commissioned that Louisiana has the highest percentage in the nation of working age adults who hold a high-quality post-secondary certificate and that the state's overall degree attainment rate improved from 48th to 26th in the nation.