
September 05, 2019
SIU makes it easier to transfer from Kaskaskia College
CARBONDALE, Ill. — It just got even easier for students to transfer to Southern Illinois University Carbondale from Kaskaskia College.
A special ceremony Aug. 30 marked the signing of 16 program articulation agreements, creating seamless pathways to help students transfer and complete baccalaureate degrees.
Bridges connect associate’s degree to bachelor’s degrees
The agreements enable students to earn associate degrees in more than a dozen areas at Kaskaskia and then see their credits carry over toward bachelor’s degrees when they transfer to SIU.
“It is our goal to improve the lives of the students we serve and enhance the region. The addition of these new agreements does just that,” Chancellor John M. Dunn said. “We are proud to partner with Kaskaskia College, and other institutions of higher learning, to create opportunities for clear pathways to help students reach their educational goals and prepare for career success and advancement.”
Sixteen new agreements
The new pact, signed at Kaskaskia College in Centralia, sets up continuous educational paths to these SIU bachelor’s degree programs:
- Agribusiness economics – from Kaskaskia’s agriculture science program.
- Animal science – from Kaskaskia’s agriculture science program.
- Business and administration online – from Kaskaskia’s general associate in arts program.
- Industrial management and applied engineering – from the following Kaskaskia programs:
- Industrial automation.
- Industrial electricity.
- Industrial management.
- Technical resource management – from any Kaskaskia Applied Associate of Science Degree.
- Chemistry – from Kaskaskia’s mathematics program.
- Mathematics – from Kaskaskia’s mathematics program.
- Physics (with multiple specializations available) – from Kaskaskia’s mathematics degree.
- Health care management – from the following Kaskaskia programs:
- Health information technology.
- Physical therapist assistant.
- Respiratory therapy.
- Music – from Kaskaskia’s music program.
- Philosophy – from Kaskaskia’s philosophy program.
- Electrical engineering – from Kaskaskia’s pre-engineering program.
Enhanced opportunities for students
SIU and Kaskaskia College inked four articulation agreements earlier this year, easing the transitions for Kaskaskia students to SIU’s communication studies, industrial management and applied engineering and music education degree programs.
With the addition of the 16 new agreements, there are now a total of 24 articulation agreements between SIU and Kaskaskia.
The articulation agreements spell out which courses are required at both partner institutions so that credits and coursework successfully and easily transfer toward a bachelor’s degree at SIU.
“We are pleased to partner with Kaskaskia College and its students and strengthen the already solid bond between our institutions,” Josi Rawls, program articulation and outreach coordinator for SIU’s Registrar’s Office, said. “This is a record number of agreements that SIU has signed at one time. These agreements create pathways for transfer students to assist them in making a seamless transition from the community college to our university.”
According to Rawls, SIU now has more than 350 such agreements with 71 different community colleges and universities.
Many on hand for signing
Chancellor John M. Dunn signed the pacts on behalf of SIU while George Evans, president of Kaskaskia College, signed the agreements on behalf of his institution.
Also on hand from SIU for the historic signing were: Provost Meera Komarraju; Brian Chapman, executive director of regional and intergovernmental affairs; Scott Collins, professor and director of the School of Health Sciences; Kim Little, College of Business director of undergraduate online student services; John T. Legier, associate professor of technical resource management; Bhaskar Bhattacharya, professor and chair of the mathematics department; Eric Lenz, associate professor and director of the School of Music; Julie Dunston; associate professor and chair of the School of Applied Engineering and Technology; Thushari Jayasekera, physics associate professor and undergraduate adviser; Saikat Talapatra, physics professor, chair and graduate adviser; John Frost, director of undergraduate admissions; Tamara Workman, director of the registrar’s office; and Rawls.
Rawls also noted that Ashley Becker, vice president of instructional services at Kaskaskia College, was instrumental in helping coordinate the agreements.