Valdosta State and Wiregrass Continue to Grow Partnerships
June 7, 2013
Valdosta, GA— 2013 is turning out to be a year of collaboration for Wiregrass Georgia Technical College and Valdosta State University. The year is not even half way over and the two colleges have already set a precedent statewide in looking at innovative ways to provide seamless education programs. Under the guidance of Governor Deal’s Complete College Georgia plan, Wiregrass and VSU are continuing to add avenues for accessibility to a college education. In February of this year, the two colleges signed the most comprehensive articulation agreement to be established in Georgia between a state university and a college in the Technical College System of Georgia. The Pathway Program allows graduates in any of Wiregrass’s associate degree programs to transfer into one of two bachelor programs at Valdosta State.
On Tuesday the two colleges again took steps to provide more pathways to higher education. Wiregrass Interim President Dr. Shawn Utley and VSU President Dr. William McKinney signed an articulation agreement in support of the Complete College Georgia Plan to assist and promote the transferability of the Associate of Applied Science degree in Business Administrative Technology to the Bachelor of Science degree in Office Administration and Technology. Dr. McKinney stated “we see these collaborations as being very important for both Wiregrass and VSU students as well as the entire South Georgia community. By serving our students we serve the region.”
Wiregrass students in the Business Administrative Technology program will be able to transfer up to 56 hours of credit towards the bachelor degree program at VSU. Wiregrass students will also be able to apply for prior learning credit based on documentation of a minimum of three years of experience in the field of Office Administration and Technology. According to Dr. Utley “it is wonderful to come in as interim president of a college where a strong foundation between the two institutions has already been established in the best interest of the students we serve. We are very thankful to VSU and Dr. McKinney for the work they are doing with our staff to provide these opportunities.”
About Valdosta State University
Valdosta State University is one of the University System of Georgia’s two regional universities. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Valdosta State draws students from 49 states and more than 79 countries. Valdosta State’s programs, including those at the graduate level, are developed with specific reference to the professional educational needs of the region. As a regional university, Valdosta State is charged with meeting the professional and general educational needs of its 41-county service area. For more information on Valdosta State University, visit www.valdosta.edu.
About Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia. Accredited by the Commission on Colleges Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Wiregrass serves an 11 county area in South Georgia. The mission of the college is to provide workforce development through academic programs, continuing education and economic development, and adult education. For more information on Wiregrass Georgia Tech, visit www.wiregrass.edu.
