Columbia State extends MTSU Promise to its students for seamless transfers

Columbia State Community College signed an agreement Wednesday (Feb. 6) to extend the MTSU Promise to Columbia State Community College students. MTSU Promise is a pathway established for students with associate degrees to move seamlessly to the four-year university.

Columbia State is the fifth community college to join the MTSU Promise program, where the university pledges support to help students at partner schools complete their associate degree, then move forward in seeking a four-year degree.

“This is an opportunity to build and strengthen our relationship with a great community college,” MTSU President Sydney McPhee said. “(Students) can transfer and focus on their education by having all the obstacles out of the way.”

Columbia State President Janet Smith said she looks forward to renewing the partnership with MTSU, saying “the majority of our students transfer to MTSU and our faculty look forward to coming to MTSU and discussing curriculum with their faculty.”

“This is all about student success and finding ways to work together,” Smith added. “Our students do well here and we’re very proud of Columbia State graduates.”

Also, the agreement says Columbia State students who agree to participate in the MTSU Promise will sign a “reverse transfer” agreement, meaning if they fail to complete their associate degree prior to transfer, they would automatically receive their associate degree from Columbia State once sufficient credits have been completed at MTSU.

Columbia State has five campuses, including Columbia, Williamson, Lawrence, Lewisburg and Clifton. To learn more, visit www.ColumbiaState.edu.