AMES and CRESTON, Iowa -- Iowa State University and Southwestern Community College (SWCC) have joined forces to make it more convenient for SWCC students who want to earn a bachelor's degree to transfer to Iowa State. Southwestern Community College President Barbara Crittenden and ISU President Gregory Geoffroy announced the joint admission program at a news conference today at SWCC's Creston campus.
Through the Admissions Partnership Program, SWCC students who plan to pursue bachelor's degrees at Iowa State will receive special benefits to help pave the way for academic success at both schools. Students accepted into the Admissions Partnership Program will receive the following benefits while still enrolled at SWCC:
- Advising and guidance from SWCC and Iowa State
- Student services
- Career fairs and career services
- Library facilities
- Extracurricular activities and opportunities
- Recreational facilities and programs
- Athletic events and entertainment events at student prices
- Exhibits and cultural events
- Opportunities to live in ISU housing
This new relationship with SWCC expands Iowa State's outreach with the state's community college students. ISU piloted its Admissions Partnership Program with Des Moines Area Community College and Iowa Valley Community College District in 2006. The university will continue to establish partnership agreements with all community colleges in Iowa.
"Our Admissions Partnership Program with Iowa's community colleges has been very successful in giving Iowa students more educational benefits and options, and we are delighted to expand this innovative program with the students, faculty and staff of Southwestern Community College," said Iowa State University President Gregory L. Geoffroy. "Iowa's community colleges play an important role in educating Iowa students, and we look forward to welcoming many Southwestern Community College students into this program, and, in the future, as students at Iowa State."
"We are very pleased with the enhanced opportunities the Admissions Partnership Program with Iowa State University will offer our students," said Southwestern Community College President Barbara Crittenden. "We have had articulation agreements that allow for the transfer of course credits in place with Iowa State for many years. The Partnership Program will take the SWCC/ISU relationship to an even higher level, which will in turn provide seamless transfer opportunities for our students."
Students who want to be a part of the Admissions Partnership Program must enroll at SWCC as a degree-seeking student. Following admission to SWCC, students will work with their SWCC counselors to complete and submit an application form. A student who is accepted into the program by Iowa State:
1. Meets with his or her SWCC counselor each semester prior to registration;
2. Consults with an assigned ISU academic advisor each semester;
3. Follows a course of study at SWCC that will meet ISU entrance requirements and fulfill college and program requirements for his or her intended major;
4. Submits an "Intent to Enroll" form and pays an application fee to ISU, one semester prior to transferring to Iowa State.
Additional information about the Admissions Partnership Program is available online at http://www.admissions.iastate.edu/partnership, through a SWCC counselor or through Matt Thompson, an ISU transfer admissions counselor (matthewt@iastate.edu or 515 294-9334). Applications are available now at SWCC.