FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 17, 2005 - Donna Parish

SFA forms consortium with community colleges to help tech students earn degrees

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS- Community college technical students who want to pursue a four-year Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree will now find it easier to transfer technical courses to SFA and earn college credit.

The East Texas Two-Step (Technology Workforce Opportunities through Seamless Transitions and Educational Partnerships) Project, a consortium of local community colleges and SFA, helps community college technical students transition from an associate degree in specified areas to a bachelor's degree at SFA.

In step one of the project, high school tech-prep students may earn college credit for tech-prep courses and apply them toward an associate degree at the community college level.

Step two allows community college students to transfer up to 48 hours of technical courses to utilize toward a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree at SFA.

Outreach coordinator Jeannie Lafferty visits area high schools and community colleges to disseminate information about the project and its opportunities for technical students.

"Through the consortium, ongoing relationships between the community colleges and SFA will only strengthen and enhance the opportunities for transfer students to continue their education," Lafferty said.

"We are pleased that area community colleges have partnered with SFA in an effort to help technical students earn a degree faster than the traditional route. This project will enable students to use their technological interest as part of their four-year degree and ultimately help make them more competitive in the job market."

Some of the areas of specialization that can be considered for transfer to SFA include technical and industrial, allied health and public service occupations.

The first meeting of the consortium planning council is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at the SFA University Center. Lafferty expects representatives from the North Harris Montgomery Community College District and Angelina, Blinn, Kilgore, Panola, San Jacinto, Tyler Junior, Trinity Valley and Texas State Technical colleges to attend.

The East Texas Two-Step Project is funded by the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Act of 1998 through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

For more information about the project, contact Lafferty at (936) 468-2772.