Direct Connect Partnership Established Between SMC, USC Upstate

10/26/10 — Spartanburg Community College Also a Partner In Initiative Aimed To Transition Two-Year College Graduates to USC Upstate

SPARTANBUR, S.C. - Many Spartanburg Methodist College students now have an opportunity which will guarantee them admission to the University of South Carolina Upstate following their graduation from SMC.

USC Upstate unveiled the Upstate Direct Connect^© initiative on Tuesday, an exclusive opportunity for two-year colleges that guarantees admission to USC Upstate for any student who graduates with an Associate of Arts, Associate of Sciences or select Associate of Applied Science degrees.

The program, however, does not apply to SMC Associate of Criminal Justice or Associate of Religion graduates.

Dr. John Stockwell, chancellor of USC Upstate; Dr. Colleen Perry Keith, president of Spartanburg Methodist College; and Dr. Para M. Jones, president of Spartanburg Community College ,all signed a Joint Resolution in the J M Smith Board Room on the USC Upstate campus solidifying their Upstate Direct Connect^© partnership.

With the demand for higher education in Upstate South Carolina on the rise and the availability of well-educated technicians, scientists, professionals and managers among the most critical factors in the economic growth of region, the University of South Carolina Upstate recognizes that partnerships with two-year colleges are an important key to producing more graduates with baccalaureate degrees.

"USC Upstate is extremely effective in graduating students with baccalaureate degrees and extremely efficient in partnering with two-year colleges," said Dr. Stockwell.

"USC Upstate is proud of its track record in enrolling transfer students from Greenville Tech. Currently, about 40% of USC Upstate's incoming students enter as transfers, by far the largest percentage among universities statewide. As a consequence, the percent of enrolled USC Upstate students who graduate each year with the baccalaureate degree is also the highest among the state's public universities," he added.

Dr. Keith said the new initiative signifies a strong relationship between USC Upstate, SMC and other local two-year institutions.

"Each year, many Spartanburg Methodist graduates transfer to the University of South Carolina Upstate to complete their baccalaureate degrees. The transfer process, and the acceptance by USC Upstate of SMC credits, has been an exceptionally smooth one and our students have benefitted greatly for many years as a result of the close working relationship between SMC and USC Upstate. This Upstate Direct Connect^© partnership should enhance the already outstanding relationship between the two Colleges and we are pleased to be a part of it," said Dr. Keith.

All three college presidents agree that the Upstate Direct Connect^© partnership will advance considerably the percentage of Upstate residents with baccalaureate degrees, creating a growing pool of well-educated citizens, enhancing the competitive advantages of Upstate South Carolina.

"The Upstate Direct Connect^© Program is an outstanding opportunity not only for Spartanburg Community College students, but for all Upstate residents who are currently enrolled in college or considering college. We are delighted to partner with USC Upstate. Thanks to the visionary leadership of Dr. Stockwell, Upstate Direct Connect^© makes earning a four-year degree a seamless, attainable and affordable option for our students, instead of only a dream," said Dr. Para M. Jones, president of Spartanburg Community College.

She added, "This program represents partners in education, working together on behalf of our students and our community. In the spirit of Spartanburg's 'College Town' and our commitment to the '40/30 Challenge', we know that educational attainment directly impacts an individual's personal earning power and consequently, our local and state economy. An educated community equals an economically thriving community, a true competitive player in today's global economy."

According to Dr. Ann Bowles, vice president for academic affairs at SMC, "The Upstate Direct Connect^© agreement affirms the collaborative efforts of SMC and Upstate. The partnership between the two institutions of higher learning has long yielded a positive transfer path for SMC students. Faculty from both colleges began meeting several years ago to share course content information and student success stories. This new chapter in a continuing dialog is exactly the kind of assurance that parents and students need to hear as they plan a college career right here in Spartanburg."

Upstate Direct Connect^© will allow students to be more deliberate in their transfer plans once entering a two-year college as they will receive enhanced academic on-site advising from SCC, SMC and USC Upstate advisors. Additionally, students enrolled in Upstate Direct Connect^© will have accelerated admissions to USC Upstate, providing smooth transition through the University's processes including orientation, transcripts, advising, and financial aid. A concurrent admission process also means that students may select USC Upstate courses after completing 45 semester hours of credit at SCC or SMC.

"Upstate Direct Connect^© is providing students with a defined pathway from one college to the next while saving a significant amount of money on the total cost of earning a bachelor's degree," said Dr. Marsha Dowell, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs at USC Upstate. "Students who transfer to USC Upstate as part of Upstate Direct Connect^© will have a stronger connection to the University from the very beginning, giving them a head start in succeeding in baccalaureate degree completion."

"Identifying interested and qualified students for Upstate Direct Connect^© in their first two years of college at SCC and SMC only strengthens the likelihood that these students will, in fact, continue their education and graduate with a four-year degree," said Sherry H. Vaughn, vice president of academic affairs at Spartanburg Community College. "We are empowering our students with education and knowledge - both powerful tools that have the potential to offer a lifetime of career success and financial earning power."

Students enrolled in the Upstate Direct Connect^© initiative will be given a USC Upstate student identification card, ensuring they will receive many benefits:

• access to priority registration at USC Upstate, assuring their ability to register for classes before other new students
• enhanced academic advising including comprehensive on-site advising from both the two-year campuses and USC Upstate advisors
• Access to the USC Upstate Library, free admission to sporting events, student activities, events featuring guest speakers, and cultural productions

According to Donette Stewart, associate vice chancellor enrollment services at USC Upstate, Upstate Direct Connect^© provides students with three avenues for entry to the program for completion of their bachelor's degree at USC Upstate. Students may enter at the time of admission to SCC or SMC, as a current student at SCC or SMC, or as an applicant to Upstate who is not currently eligible for freshman admission. Upstate Direct Connect differs from the Bridge Program because it is designed for all potential transfer students, instead of just those students not eligible for freshman admission to Upstate.

"We are looking forward to working in close partnership with our colleagues at Greenville Tech to make Upstate Direct Connect a great success for students," said Stewart. "We currently have 623 transfer students from SCC and 240 from SMC enrolled on our campus, and I hope we will be able double that number in the years ahead through this partnership."

Admissions officials at the partner institutions says the Upstate Direct Connect^© initiative will help strengthen partnerships and processes already in place as well.

"This agreement offers students at Spartanburg Methodist College an even more enhanced seamless transition to USC Upstate to pursue their bachelor degree studies. A high percentage of our graduates have migrated to USC Upstate over the years because of our close working relationship with our USC Upstate colleagues and our students' desire to remain in the Spartanburg area. Through this collaborative effort, our students will be on track to finish their baccalaureate studies at Upstate in four years as part of SMC's 2+2 initiative. Our goal remains to enhance our student's completion of their educational objectives the same as if they had attended a four-year college initially after high school graduation," said Dan Philbeck, vice president for enrollment management at SMC

"This partnership aligns perfectly with SCC's strategic goals and our responsibility to collaborate with public, private and nonprofit partners in meeting the needs of our students, employers and our community," said Ron Jackson, vice president of student affairs at Spartanburg Community College.

Spartanburg Methodist College is in its 100th year of providing quality education to students in a Christian environment. More than 90 percent of SMC graduates continue their education at other institutions of higher learning.

To learn more about Upstate Direct Connect^© at Spartanburg Methodist College, contact Mike Queen, director of admissions, at (864) 587-4222 or queenm@smcsc.edu.