Gene Couch (left) vice president for instruction and student services at Southwestern Community College, Pat Brown (center), dean of the Division of Educational Outreach at Western Carolina University and Kyle Carter (right), WCU provost, sign an educational partnership agreement that will make it easier for students to complete a baccalaureate degree through WCU at SCC's new Macon Campus. (WCU photo by Ashley T. Evans)

The partnership will allow students who complete an associate degree at Southwestern Community College to enter a baccalaureate degree program at WCU through flexible distance education programs using a combination of online courses, interactive television courses and face-to-face instruction that will be offered at the new SCC Macon Campus.

Under the agreement, WCU and SCC will jointly develop degree-completion agreements for baccalaureate degree programs, coordinate planning for programs that will serve the economic development interests and needs in the region, and coordinate library resources, providing access to online resources and interlibrary loan.

Students will receive academic advising on the selection of and registration for courses from staff at either SCC or WCU.

“This partnership is especially important to the adult student who lives in a geographic area without easy access to an upper-division college program, the working adult, and the adult with family responsibilities that restrict activities outside the home,” said Pat Brown, dean of the Division of Educational Outreach at WCU.

The university's bachelor's degree completion program in birth-to-kindergarten education will be the first offering following the agreement. The program prepares professionals to work with children up to age 5 in a variety of early childhood settings by providing students with a strong background and experience working with young children, with and without disabilities, and their families.

"The College of Education and Allied Professions is delighted to partner with Southwestern Community College to prepare quality child care workers and preschool teachers for our region," said Michael Dougherty, dean of the College of Education and Allied Professions at WCU. "We are pleased to be involved in the initiatives related to the Macon Campus."

"When we open the doors to our new Macon Campus in July, we are also opening doors to exciting new educational advantages for the people of Macon County," said SCC President Cecil Groves. "From the beginning, the Macon Campus has been a collaborative effort - with the county commissioners, library, public schools, local businesses and residents. Now we're delighted to include WCU in that partnership."

Students of the program participate in group discussions and work on group projects, post assignments, complete surveys and tests, and develop elements for their professional portfolios.

The program is open to individuals holding or nearing completion of an associate degree in early childhood education. The program will begin fall 2007.

WCU has a well-established history of extending opportunities for higher education to the working adult. To facilitate the transfer of students, the university has developed articulation agreements with several area community colleges, covering the major areas of study offered by the university.

SCC is an open admissions institution with its main campus in Sylva. The college offers a number of transfer degree programs at the associate level that synchronize with selected baccalaureate degree programs at WCU.

For more information on the birth-kindergarten program, call (828) 227-7397 toll free at (866) 928-4723, or visit http://edoutreach.wcu.edu.

SCC, WCU partner on new program to prepare provisional students for college