PSU, NEO sign reverse transfer agreement

  Friday, May 24, 2013 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

Pittsburg State University President Steve Scott joined Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College President Jeff Hale Thursday on the NEO campus to sign a reverse transfer agreement between the two institutions.

“Pittsburg State and NEO have a long history of cooperation,” said Scott. “That cooperation has one goal: to serve students. This reverse transfer agreement is another example of the ways our institutions work together for the benefit of students in the region.”

The reverse transfer agreement allows students who have transferred from NEO to PSU before completing their associate’s degree, to transfer hours they earned later at PSU back to NEO in order to receive their associate’s degree.

“It is not unusual for students to transfer from community colleges to PSU before they have completed all requirements for an associate’s degree,” said Bill Ivy, associate vice president for enrollment management and student success at PSU. “Sometimes they may be only a few hours short.”

Helping students get their associate’s degrees not only gives them recognition for their hard work, but also motivates them to achieve their bachelor’s degree.

“And it is always a good thing when we can help increase the number of degreed people in the economy,” Ivy said.

Pittsburg State has similar agreements with numerous community colleges in Kansas, but this is the first with a community college outside the state’s borders.

President Scott, who grew up in Baxter Springs, lived and taught in Miami and was on the NEO teaching staff for seven years, said the agreement reflects Pittsburg State’s unique mission of service to the Four-State region.

“Currently, there are nearly 100 PSU students with hours from NEO,” Scott said, “and thousands of PSU alumni are also proud NEO alumni. Together, NEO and PSU are making a big difference not only in the lives of people in the region, but also the economy we share.”