Video: EMCC, MUW Ink Historic Agreement

EMCC_MUW 1

MAYHEW – An articulation agreement signed Wednesday by East Mississippi Community College and Mississippi University for Women will enable EMCC students who have earned Associate of Applied Science degrees in industry and manufacturing areas to transfer seamlessly to MUW.

The formal ceremony was held at EMCC’s Center for Manufacturing Technology Excellence.

“EMCC works to give people the tools they need to improve their lives by making it possible for them to build better, stronger career paths,” said EMCC President Dr. Thomas Huebner.

“Our team at EMCC offers many levels of instruction, from GED programs for people who don’t have high school diplomas to honor programs for university-bound students. Central to this mission is the idea of providing options that allow students to build on an increasingly firm educational foundation. That’s what makes this partnership with MUW so life-changing for our students.”

Under the new articulation agreement, MUW will accept up to 43 technical credits in addition to academic coursework, allowing EMCC’s Manufacturing Technology and Engineering graduates to make the transition more easily and begin working toward a university degree.

More good news: In April, MUW received approval from the State Board of Trustees, Institutions of Higher Learning, to retitle its Bachelor of Technology in Professional Studies program to Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration effective in the fall 2016 semester.

“The change of the major name to Business Administration more directly relates to the strong foundation of traditional business skills featured in The W’s curriculum,” said MUW President Dr. Jim Borsig.

“This comes after two years of research, listening to our current students, and also informally polling our friends at community colleges across the state.”

Dr. Scott Tollison, MUW Dean of the College of Business and Professional Studies, said the change will be advantageous on several fronts.

“It will provide a baccalaureate pathway for technical transfer students with greater name recognition to potential employers and greater marketability for the student. Highlighting the words ‘applied science’ strengthens the linkage to the Associate of Applied Science required for admission to our program while also demonstrating appreciation for the applied skills they have already mastered.”

Another driving force behind the articulation agreement came from EMCC in the form of a three-year, $2.7 million grant from the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training program.

“This grant enabled EMCC to create the Manufacturing Technology and Engineering division three years ago, combining credit and non-credit workforce training,” said Dr. Raj Shaunak, EMCC Vice President for Workforce and Community Services.

“Associate degree programs involving modern industry and manufacturing were moved under the MTE umbrella. Since then, the MTE division has also introduced four new programs and created staff positions, called Navigators, who counsel students and help steer their paths as they pursue their American Dream.”

This new development expands on a previously approved agreement between MUW and EMCC’s career-technical associate degree programs by laying out a plan specifically designed to guide and assist MTE students wishing to transfer to MUW and work toward bachelor degrees.

Categories: Local News

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *