Kent State University and Eastern Gateway Community College (EGCC) formed a strategic partnership that will create new access to courses and degrees for thousands of students living and learning on Ohio’s eastern border.
Leaders from both institutions met Oct. 10 at EGCC’s Steubenville campus to sign the agreement and celebrate the new collaboration, which will increase educational opportunities and access for students throughout the four counties EGCC serves.
The official agreement was signed by Bev Warren, president of Kent State University, and Jimmie Bruce, president of EGCC.
The first two conjoined educational pathways will link EGCC’s Associate of Arts degree to Kent State’s Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree, and EGCC’s Associate of Arts degree into Kent State’s Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies degree.
Students will also be able to complete the technical and applied studies degree with a concentration in insurance studies. Additional pathways will be determined in the future, based on student interest in various study areas.
The degree pathways and new advising begin in 2019.
“At Kent State, we believe that when Ohio’s public higher education system works together, the students, families and communities we serve win,” Warren said. “Look no further than our innovative new partnership with Eastern Gateway, which brings together our unique capabilities to open new doors for more students who aspire to earn a four-year degree but may otherwise miss the opportunity.”
Eastern Gateway serves students in Columbiana, Jefferson, Mahoning and Trumbull counties, with campuses in Youngstown and Steubenville, not far from the Kent State East Liverpool Campus.
“We are excited about the partnership with Kent State University that will enhance opportunities for all students at our Steubenville Campus and will increase articulated pathways from EGCC to Kent State,’ Bruce said.
In addition to course offerings, Kent State will house a physical advising center at EGCC’s Steubenville Campus, which will serve to educate students on Kent State programs and provide guidance for students looking to transfer after completing their associate degree programs at EGCC.
The new partnership will eliminate the guesswork for students who are interested in transferring from EGCC to Kent State to complete their four-year degrees. They will have a pathway map of courses leading their studies from EGCC to Kent State, and to achieving a bachelor’s degree.
# # #
Photo A: It took a team to make the agreement between Kent State University and Eastern Gateway Community College possible, including (from left) Lance Grahn, dean and CAO of Kent State Trumbull; Larry Froehlich, assistant to the vice president for Kent State System Integration; Donald Bean, assistant director of enrollment management and student service at Kent State East Liverpool; Dr. David Dees, dean and CAO of Kent State East Liverpool and Salem; Bev Warren, president of Kent State University; Melanie DiCarlo, director of articulation and transfer at EGCC; Jimmie Bruce, president of EGCC; Melissa Cope, business manager for Kent State Columbiana County; Nate Ritchey, vice president of Kent State System Integration and dean of Regional College; Thomas Graham, EGCC faculty and chair of the Jefferson County Commission; and Tim Pagliari, project director for Kent State System Integration
Photo B: Kent State President Beverly Warren and Eastern Gateway Community College President Jimmie Bruce sign the agreement between the two institutions, creating pathways for learning for area students.
Photo C: Reporter Alex Taylor, a 2017 graduate of Kent State’s broadcast journalism and public relations program, was assigned to cover the story and interview Kent State President, Bev Warren. Alex is a reporter with Steubenville television station WTOV 9.