��ɫ��Ƶ

and have formed a new partnership, one that will allow current ��ɫ��Ƶ students who began their educational careers at KCC to be awarded degrees from the community college for work completed at ��ɫ��Ƶ. The process, known as a “reverse transfer,” will enable students who transferred from KCC to ��ɫ��Ƶ to receive an associate degree while continuing to work toward a bachelor’s degree.

Today’s students move frequently between two-and four-year post-secondary institutions in pursuit of education, training and a degree. Many students transfer into four-year universities before they complete an associate degree. This new partnership between ��ɫ��Ƶ and KCC—part of a pilot program in Oregon—recognizes students’ achievements with an associate degree after they have transferred to a four-year school and have accumulated the credits needed to fulfill the two-year, associate degree program requirements.

Students who are awarded an associate degree through reverse transfer benefit in a number of ways:

• Recent studies show students are more likely to stay in school and complete a bachelor’s degree program if they earn an associate degree in the interim.
• Graduates will have both an associate and a bachelor’s degree on their resume, reflecting a broader, more accurate view of their skills and training. And for those who do not complete a bachelor’s degree but receive an associate degree with accrued credits, they have at least the one degree to help them as they seek employment.
• If the associate degree is in a more technical, applied area than the bachelor’s degree, it may appeal to employers who are looking for applicants who understand both the hands-on and theoretical aspects of a given field.

��ɫ��Ƶ and KCC will benefit from the process as well. The community college can expect to see an increase in its completion rate, which will more accurately reflect the investment of time, resources and support that KCC has given to students who transfer prior to degree completion. Meanwhile, ��ɫ��Ƶ will likely benefit through greater student retention. Wendy Pedersen, registrar at ��ɫ��Ƶ stated, “��ɫ��Ƶ is excited to partner with KCC in this joint effort that will be a huge benefit to eligible students.  This is a win-win, for ��ɫ��Ƶ, KCC, and students.” Statistics from recent work in this area show retention rates improve by 10 percent for those students who receive an associate degree through reverse transfer once they are at a four-year institution. Additionally, the initiative will allow both ��ɫ��Ƶ and KCC to help the State of Oregon achieve its 40-40-20 goals.

Officials at both ��ɫ��Ƶ and KCC are excited by this partnership. “This is a great opportunity for the students,” said KCC registrar John Duarte. “Once they have completed the necessary work, we want to make sure their efforts are rewarded.” Qualifying students who want to take part in the reverse transfer program should contact Duarte at (541)880-2282.