From left are Peggy Fuller, dean of Student Success, BPCC; Sandra Partain, dean of BPCC’s Division of Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; Adam Jannick, associate professor in NSU’s Department of Engineering Technology; NSU President Dr. Jim Henderson, BPCC Chancellor Dr. Rick Bateman, Dr. Margaret Kilcoyne, interim dean of NSU’s College of Business and Technology; Lesa Taylor-Dupree, BPCC vice chancellor of Academic Affairs; Dr. Ali Ahmad, head of NSU’s Department of Engineering Technology, and Curtis Penrod, director of NSU’s CIS program.
NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University and Bossier Parish Community College administrators called the signing of several articulation agreements Monday an example of how 2- and 4-year institutions in Louisiana should work together. The two schools finalized agreements that facilitate the transfer of credits from the associate degree to a bachelor’s degree in cyber technology, industrial technology, computer information systems and business administration.
BPCC Chancellor Dr. Rick Bateman said the schools are increasing program alignment not only with transfers in mind, but also with workforce development in mind.
“We’re building pathways to employment and a regional economy that makes sense,” Bateman said. “We are defining clear structured pathways that are more intentional than traditional articulation agreements so our students can earn market responsive degrees to move into the workforce and strengthen our economy.”
Under the agreements, students who earn the Associate of Applied Science degree in cyber technology from BPCC will be able to transfer credits towards the Bachelor of Science in computer information systems (CIS). Students completing the associate degree in business administration will be able to transfer credit towards the bachelor of science in business administration, CIS and accounting. Students completing the Associate of Arts Louisiana Transfer degree with business concentrations will also be able to transfer credits towards business administration, CIS and accounting.
Students earning an associate of applied science in oil and gas technology and associate of applied science in industrial technology with concentration in engineering graphics will be able to transfer into NSU’s industrial engineering technology degree program. Students earning an associate of applied science in industrial technology with a automations and controls will be able to transfer into NSU’s electrical engineering technology program.
The students will enroll at Northwestern State as juniors.
Because of the agreements, “students that graduate from these two schools don’t struggle with process and minutiae. What ties NSU and BPCC together is our 100 percent focus on students,” said NSU President Dr. Jim Henderson.