Friday, June 10, 2022
Regional Higher Education Partnership Evolves
Associate of Arts degree and transfer agreements approved
Chippewa Valley Technical College, UW-Eau Claire, UW-River Falls and UW-Stout are pleased to announce a new partnership to further enhance their commitment to serving students and supporting their success.
On Friday, June 10, the UW System Board of Regents made the final approval allowing CVTC to offer an Associate of Arts degree. The Wisconsin Technical College System approval to offer the degree was granted on May 17.
“We are pleased to provide this remarkable opportunity for students across the district,” said CVTC College President Sunem Beaton-Garcia, Ph.D. “The partnership with our UW institutions is of great importance, and I am grateful for their continued collaboration to provide seamless transfer for students.”
This effort was the result of close collaboration with all three UW institutions in the region as commitments to seamless transfer were reaffirmed between the participating higher education institutions earlier this spring. This collaboration will support the transfer of students to the institution that best suits their interests and support the needs of students throughout northwest Wisconsin and beyond.
UW-Stout Chancellor Katherine Frank, Ph.D. said she recognizes the significant variance in the educational journey of each individual.
“It is our responsibility to meet students where they are and provide them with the quality educational experience they aspire to achieve by removing barriers that may deter their success,” she said.
“While each institution has a distinct mission, we are deeply committed to our students and stronger transfer outcomes throughout the region,” stated UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Jim Schmidt, Ed.D. “Our shared goal is to provide educational options across our institutions that will help students meet their career and life goals no matter where they start or complete their degrees.”
Students enrolling in the Associate of Arts degree at CVTC will benefit from close collaboration with all three university partners. Guidance relative to students’ desired pathways for areas of study and transfer institution will be provided by a dedicated advisor on CVTC campuses, supported by UW-Eau Claire, UW-River Falls and UW-Stout.
In addition to seamless transfer agreements and embedded advising, UW-River Falls Chancellor Maria Gallo, Ph.D., expressed the importance of joint professional development and shared messaging for prospective and existing students.
“While keeping with our shared principles and practices, we have built strong, collaborative teams across our institutions to develop, support and maintain the partnership work to provide the most effective and efficient options for learners, regardless of their current situation or desired pathway,” she said.
Students interested in pursuing the Associate of Arts degree may start the program as early as the fall 2022 semester, which begins at the end of August.
