Ashland University and North Central State College Sign New Articulation Agreement

Officials from Ashland University and North Central State College have pledged to work together to make college more affordable for students and parents, and have developed specific articulation agreements involving several academic programs.

The agreements, which again formalize the relationship between the two schools that began many years ago, were signed Monday by Dr. Frederick Finks, president of Ashland University, and Donald L. Plotts, president of North Central State College, during a ceremony held on the Ashland University campus.

"These agreements reaffirm the relationship between Ashland University and North Central State College and we hope this will make more students aware of the opportunities between the two schools," Dr. Finks said. "We have had a very good longstanding history with North Central State College and we want that to continue to make it affordable and attractive for students to get a four-year degree without leaving the area."

Dr. Frank Pettigrew, provost of Ashland University, said the articulation agreements signed Monday for three specific academic programs – biology, criminal justice and social work – will make it easier for North Central students to transfer to Ashland University and complete their bachelor’s degrees.

Dr. Dawn Weber, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, agreed, noting that Ashland University's focus on “accent on the individual” is ideal for community college students transferring to a four-year institution.

"NCSC students in social work and criminal justice have a long history of completing their baccalaureate degree at Ashland University,” Weber said. “We are pleased to renew these agreements and to establish a new articulation agreement for students in biotechnology."

These new specific agreements follow an earlier general articulation agreement between the two schools that called for Ashland to accept more of the core and major course work, making it easier for North Central graduates to transfer to Ashland and finish their studies in two years.

Ashland officials hope and believe that Monday’s signing will serve as a catalyst to finalize additional specific articulation agreements in the future.

NCSC President Plotts added, “The future of higher education in Ohio will be based on partnerships like the one we enjoy with Ashland University. This is a wonderful opportunity for our graduates to complete their bachelor’s degree close to home. We’ve worked closely to make sure the credits our students earn will transfer to colleges throughout Ohio. And I look forward to even more opportunities for our students to transfer as we continue to work together with Ashland University.”

Ashland University, ranked in the top 200 colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Report’s National Universities category for 2012, is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.

North Central State College, located on 600 scenic acres in Mansfield, and at the Kehoe Center in Shelby, currently enrolls 3,600 students in fields of study which include Health Sciences, Engineering Technology, Public Service and Business, as well as contract training in partnership with dozens of businesses throughout north central Ohio.

(photos courtesy of Tom Puskar/Ashland Times-Gazette)