Augusta Technical College and Augusta University create streamlined pathway for transfer students
Posted on Jan 26, 2023 at 10:00 AM
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For Immediate Release |
Augusta Technical College and Augusta University
create streamlined pathway for transfer students
Original Press Release | The Augusta Chronicle Article | NewsPub Article | WRDW Article | WFXG Article | AugustaCEO Article
Augusta, GA - January 26, 2023
Augusta University President Brooks A. Keel, PhD, and Augusta Technical College President Jermaine Whirl, EdD, officially launched the new Augusta Advantage initiative with a ceremonial agreement signing and logo unveiling Jan. 25 in the Jaguar Student Activities Center Roscoe Williams Ballroom.
“Today is a historic day for the greater Augusta region,” said Dr. Whirl. “The new Augusta Advantage pathway program between Augusta Tech and Augusta University truly will be Augusta’s competitive advantage in ensuring the region has the workforce it needs today and for years to come.”
Augusta University boasts a rich history of welcoming students who have transferred credits from other institutions of higher education, Keel said, with nearly one in three new students enrolling as a transfer student each fall semester.
“We’re thrilled to welcome these students each year, but we also realize their path to transfer those credits and become a part of our campus can sometimes be challenging,” Keel said. “That’s why we’ve been proud to partner with Augusta Technical College since 2015 for a Cybersecurity to Information Technology Pathway that has proven to be a successful and valuable program for students seeking degrees in this field. Now, we are immensely excited to announce the expansion of this strategic partnership with our new pathway program, Augusta Advantage.”
Students in this pathway program will have the opportunity to earn their associate degree at Augusta Technical College, then receive accelerated admissions to transfer all of those credits into eight possible pathways at Augusta University to earn their bachelor’s degree. Pathways include the areas of business administration, communication, computer science, kinesiology, nursing, political science, psychology, and social work, all of which are important to Georgia’s current and future workforce needs, Keel said.
“By providing better pathways to earn a bachelor’s degree, Augusta University and Augusta Technical College aim to help improve these students’ economic prosperity for many years to come,” Keel said.
Studies show the value of a bachelor’s degree when it comes to employment prospects and earnings potential. Bachelor’s degree holders are half as likely to be unemployed as their peers who hold only a high school degree, and they will earn $1.2 million in additional earnings, on average, over their lifetime.
The Augusta Advantage program is open to all students seeking both an associate and bachelor’s degree, which includes dual enrolled high school students. Eligible students will also be able to utilize Georgia HOPE scholarship awards at both institutions under this new program.
At the launch event, Whirl and Keel also welcomed to the AU and Augusta Tech families April Byrd, the new Augusta Advantage transfer admissions counselor.
“We are so proud to welcome her to this role as we work to ensure student success at all stages of the college experience, from application, to transfer, and ultimately, to graduation,” Keel said. “Our goal is to provide as many resources as possible to give students an easy transition through the program, and April will have an office right on the Augusta Technical College campus in order to best serve Augusta Advantage students.”
Dr. Whirl reiterated the important role regional institutions play in educating
the future workforce.
“Over 90% of Augusta Tech alumni stay in the region after graduation, and now with a clear pathway toward a bachelor’s degree with our neighboring university, we have a win for our entire community,” Whirl said. “I’m thankful to Dr. Keel and the Augusta University family for their partnership, and we look forward to graduating more students to keep Georgia the No. 1 place to do business in the country. Go Cougars, and go Jaguars!”
Click here to view photos from the signing event - Augusta Technical College.
Click here to view photos from the signing event - Augusta University.
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About Augusta Technical College
Augusta Technical College, a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, is a public postsecondary institution that provides academic and technical education, customized business and industry training, continuing education, student support, economic development, and adult education services to its service area (Burke, Columbia, Lincoln, McDuffie, and Richmond Counties) at a competitive financial value. Associate of Science Degrees, Associate of Applied Science Degrees, diplomas, and technical certificates of credit are provided through traditional and distance delivery methods. For more information, visit augustatech.edu.
Media Contact:
Kimberly Holden
Director, Marketing & Public Relations
706.771.4819
kimberly.holden@augustatech.edu
About Augusta University
As one of Georgia’s four public research institutions, Augusta University offers customizable,
accessible education on campuses in Augusta and across the state. Augusta University aims not
only to be different, but also to make a difference — to reimagine and recreate the future of art,
technology, education and health care. Home to Georgia’s only public academic medical center
and designated by the state as a health sciences center of excellence, Augusta University is
dedicated to creating a safer, healthier and more equitable Georgia. For more information, visit
augusta.edu.
Media Contact:
Heather Henley
Director, Brand Communications
706.513.0719
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Media Contact
- Kimberly Holden
- Director of Community Engagement & Public Affairs
- kimberly.holden@augustatech.edu
- 706.771.4819