UVa-Wise and Big Sandy Community & Technical College sign articulation agreement

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise is continuing its mission to boost access to higher education throughout the region by inking an articulation agreement with Big Sandy Community & Technical College.

The agreement, signed on July 22 by UVa-Wise Chancellor David J. Prior and BSCTC President George Edwards, is designed to allow graduates of the Kentucky community and technical college to transfer easily to UVa-Wise.

"Serving the region has been our mission since we were created in 1954,” UVa-Wise Chancellor David J. Prior said. “We work at it. Partnering with Big Sandy Community & Technical College is a natural outgrowth of our mission.”

From left to right: Chancellor David J.Prior, UVa-Wise Provost Gil Blackburn, BSCTC President George Edwards, Provost Nancy Johnson

Chancellor Prior said both colleges have created a welcoming environment that makes students feel at home.

"Through this agreement, we believe that students who transfer from Big Sandy Community & Technical College to UVa-Wise will have an easy transition, ” Chancellor Prior said.

Under the agreement, students who have completed a two-year degree in General Studies at BSCTC and meet other criteria outlined in the articulation pact will have junior status when transferring to UVa-Wise.

"This is a wonderful day for Big Sandy Community & Technical College,” President Edwards said. “We constantly seek partnerships that provide additional educational opportunities for our citizens. Many of our citizens need and want a four-year degree. The signing of this agreement provides an additional option for individuals. UVa-Wise is an excellent college and we welcome this partnership.”

The agreement continues for four years with annual reviews by both institutions. Kentucky students who meet the specified county residency requirements may be eligible for reduced tuition benefits under the Kentucky Tuition Assistance Grant program.

"This agreement extends the culture of education in both southeastern Kentucky and southwestern Virginia,” said Rusty Necessary, vice chancellor for enrollment management. “Most importantly, this agreement will serve as a spring board for us to partner with BSCTC on additional major specific articulation agreements in the future."

UVa-Wise has similar articulation agreements with other community colleges in the region. Recently, UVa-Wise, Mountain Empire Community College, Southwest Virginia Community College and Mountain Empire Community College signed an agreement to allow students interested in earning a software engineering degree to transfer easily to UVa-Wise.

For more information, contact the Office of College Relations at 276-328-0130.

Posted July 23, 2009