Stephen F. Austin State University President Dr. Scott Gordon signed an articulation agreement with Alvin Community College during a virtual ceremony Feb. 22 to make a clear pathway for ACC students wishing to pursue a bachelor’s degree at SFA.
“It’s an exciting day as we take another step together to expand higher education to more Texans in the Houston area,” Gordon said. “I am thrilled about this relationship, and we are ready to welcome ACC students with open arms. This agreement will help remove road blocks to access and affordability as well as provide students a seamless transition to SFA.”
During the signing event, Gordon made note of the fact that more than 600 students from the Alvin region were admitted to SFA last year.
“This agreement is designed to expand opportunities for ACC students who want to transfer to SFA,” said Dr. Christal M. Albrecht, ACC president. “This is a win-win for our institutions and most of all a winning arrangement for our students.”
The agreement will ensure that students at ACC can transfer completed courses to SFA without any loss of credit or recognition of approved courses applied toward the degree.
“Signing this agreement is a symbolic gesture, but the symbolism is of a partnership carefully made,” said Dr. Steve Bullard, SFA’s provost and vice president of academic affairs. “You may all be familiar with the phrase, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together.’ This is example of going far together.”
Under the agreement, students taking associate degree courses at ACC in business administration, criminal justice, general studies and teaching can use their courses toward SFA bachelor’s degree programs in business administration, criminal justice, general studies and interdisciplinary studies.
“This articulation agreement also provides a mechanism to enable students who have completed courses prescribed by this agreement to transfer those courses from ACC to SFA and, thereby, satisfy up to 66 semester hours credit toward the degree,” said Dr. Jessica Ranero-Ramirez, ACC director of College and Career Pathways. “In addition, this process will streamline the reverse transfer process for students to complete their ACC degrees by applying courses taken at SFA back to the associate degree.”
For more information about programs at SFA, visit sfasu.edu. For more information about programs at ACC, visit alvincollege.edu.
