Partners in Student Success
November 1, 2013
UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications
Kilgore College and UT Tyler Longview University Center Partnering for Student Success
November 1, 2013
Media Contact: Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)
November 1, 2013
Media Contact: Beverley Golden
Director
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.566.7303 or 903.330.0495 (cell)
Kilgore College and The University of Texas at Tyler are continuing their long history of partnership and cooperation with new programs and efforts designed to increase student success in Gregg County and the surrounding area.
“Since being named director of the Longview University Center, I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to work with Dr. Bill Holda and his team to provide students with the best educational alternatives possible,” UT Tyler Longview University Center Director Dr. Van Patterson said. “We have a strong partnership that will produce positive outcomes for students,” he continued.
The University of Texas at Tyler is developing procedures to “reverse transfer” credits for students who continue their education at UT Tyler before earning their associate degree. This will allow students who complete a majority of their coursework at KC to receive their associate degree after they have finished the required classes, whether they complete them at KC or UT Tyler.
“So many of our students complete the coursework necessary to transfer into a bachelor’s degree program, but miss the opportunity to receive the associate degree they eventually earn. With this reverse transfer agreement, we will make sure students are recognized for their hard-earned accomplishments,” KC President Bill Holda said.
KC and UT Tyler are also working together to market a plan for students that explicitly outlines the courses to take at each institution to earn an associate and bachelor’s degree in the most efficient and affordable way possible. The plan will be distributed both through printed brochures and on each institution’s website where students can easily locate the information. With this roadmap, the schools hope to decrease confusion that often leads to students taking unnecessary classes.
“We want to make the transition from KC to UT Tyler as seamless as possible, and help students save time and money by clearly communicating a workable academic plan from the start,” Patterson said. “While our counselors and academic advisors help students with these issues day-in and day-out, having a roadmap can help alleviate any confusion that may still exist.”
The two East Texas institutions aren’t stopping there. The next goal on the horizon is to create a $10,000 degree. The academic leaders believe it is possible, and they are working together to determine the next steps to make it happen.
Patterson will address the KC Board of Trustees at their next regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 11 to update board members on KC/UT Tyler partnerships.