A ‘seamless” transfer

A new student-focused agreement will make the process of transferring to Heidelberg seamless and simple for Terra State Community College students.

  Terra President Marcia Bordner and Heidelberg President F. Dominic Dottavio, flanked by academic and enrollment administrators from their respective colleges, today signed an articulation agreement that will allow Terra students who have earned their associate of arts or associate of science degrees to transfer to Heidelberg with junior status and complete their bachelor’s degrees.

“It’s important for local students to have access to a local institution within driving distance,” Bordner said. “This will be good for our students, and that’s what it’s all about.”

The agreement comes at a time when the focus on the Ohio higher education front has shifted from institutions to students.

Reflecting on Heidelberg’s vision statement that strives to make education seamless and continuous in and out of class, Dottavio said this partnership between Terra and Heidelberg is a natural pairing. “We are committed to integrating liberal arts programs with professional preparation for our students – another element of our vision statement. What a better way to do that than to partner with Terra, which does such a fine job with professional preparation.”

Collaborating with other institutions makes opportunities possible for students, Dottavio added. “We are so glad to be a part of the higher education journey that Terra students will take. We look forward to being a step along the way.”

The Ohio Board of Regents’ new leadership has charged colleges and universities with the task of creating opportunities that make higher education more accessible for students. The Heidelberg-Terra agreement represents an option that Terra students may not have otherwise had, said Nancy Sattler, dean of the Arts and Sciences Division at Terra. “It can only help our students,” she said.

David Weininger, vice president for academic affairs at Heidelberg, believes the agreement could have an economic benefit for the region as well. Because many of Heidelberg’s graduates remain in Ohio, a better-educated workforce will pay dividends in the area, he said.

Terra students would be a “good fit” at Heidelberg. “They are very capable students and we will take great care of them. It should be a very easy transition,” Weininger said.

The agreement represents the first partnership for Heidelberg and Terra, located just 20 miles apart. However, administrators from both institutions said they are eager to explore other collaborations in the academic and other arenas.

“This is a very significant step for Heidelberg,” Dottavio said. “I have great hope it is the beginning of a long partnership with many other possibilities.”

Sue Stine, associate director of admission at Heidelberg who was instrumental in bringing the agreement to fruition, announced during the signing that Heidelberg is increasing the amount of a pair of scholarships available to transfer students. Those who are members of Phi Theta Kappa may qualify for a $6,000 merit scholarship. Other transfer students may be eligible for a $4,000 transfer academic award.

 
Posted 10-11-2007