Press Release

Heath Waldrop
Coordinator of marketing and communications
P.O. Box 7010, El Dorado, AR 71730
   (870) 864-7111   
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June 8, 2010

SouthArk enters into agreements with area universities

EL DORADO, Ark.—Students at South Arkansas Community College will benefit from collaborative efforts between the school and several area universities put into motion on Tuesday, according to SouthArk officials.

Transfer agreements were signed with Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, the University of Arkansas-Monticello and the University of Louisiana-Monroe.

With these agreements, SouthArk students will have guarantees that their academic coursework will be accepted if they transfer to any of the partnering four-year institutions. Additionally, SouthArk students who transfer will receive joint academic advising, transition assistance and consultation about transfer scholarship opportunities.

Other benefits of these agreements, officials said, include increased retention and graduation rates.

“We are very excited about our partnerships with the universities and about the opportunities this is offering to SouthArk students,” SouthArk director of college transition Christy Wilson said. “SouthArk is ensuring a seamless transfer for students from an associate’s degree to a four-year program.  

SouthArk president Dr. Barbara Jones said that this collaboration is just one way in which the local college is partnering with other area institutions. SouthArk is cooperating with SAU, UAM and SAU-Tech in East Camden on a new summer advertising campaign, “Complete the Journey,” which prompts potential non-traditional students to return to college to finish their degrees.

“It is widely known that a college education leads to increased economic prosperity, expanded workforce opportunities, engaged citizens and improved quality of life,” Jones read from a proclamation. “We believe that increasing the percent of Arkansans with an associate or bachelor’s degree will help to bring about economic transformation in our state.”

PHOTO
University of Louisiana-Monroe associate provost Eric Pani, far right, discusses the importance of the transfer agreements between South Arkansas Community College and other area universities signed on Tuesday. Also with Pani are, from left, Arkansas-Monticello chancellor Dr. Jack Lassiter, Henderson State provost Dr. Vernon G. Miles, SouthArk president Dr. Barbara Jones and Southern Arkansas University president Dr. David Rankin.