VSU, West Georgia Tech Form Pathways Program Partnership

Valdosta State University signed articulation agreements with West Georgia Technical College on Thursday, simplifying student transition between the two institutions of higher education. Pictured, from left to right, are (seated) Dr. Cecil P. Staton, president of VSU, and Steve G. Daniel, president of WGTC; (standing) Pat Hannon, vice of Academic Affairs at WGTC; Dr. Joseph Weaver, director of Off-Campus Programs at VSU; and Dr. Sindi McGowan, assistant vice president for curriculum with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness at WGTC.

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University signed articulation agreements with West Georgia Technical College on Thursday, simplifying student transition between the two institutions of higher education.  

The Pathways Program agreement will allow West Georgia Technical College students with an Associate of Applied Science in the articulated programs (see below) to maximize the transfer of credits in order to complete either a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership, a Bachelor of Applied Science in human capital performance, or a Bachelor of Science in office administration and technology in two years or less at Valdosta State University, noted Dr. Joseph G. Weaver, director of Off-Campus Programs at VSU.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer three clear, seamless paths for West Georgia Technical College graduates who wish to further their education and pursue a bachelor’s degree at Valdosta State University,” said Dr. Cecil P. Staton, president of VSU. “Higher education has never been more important in Georgia and across the United States. We are seeing a growing demand for citizens who are capable of more sophisticated, critical thinking and who possess problem-solving and interpersonal skills. Our faculty and staff are in the business of nurturing the next generation of thinkers, innovators, communicators, leaders, and more, and we look forward to welcoming our West Georgia friends into our Blazer Nation family for many years to come.”

Valdosta State University is a premier comprehensive university characterized by outstanding instruction, a wide range of student life opportunities, and a close connection to the community. Established in 1906, the institution's mission is to prepare students to meet global opportunities and challenges through excellence in teaching and learning; to expand the boundaries of current knowledge and explore the practical applications of that knowledge through excellence in scholarship and creative endeavors; and to promote the economic, cultural, and educational progress of the community and region through excellence in service outreach. It seeks to accomplish this mission in a dynamic, student-centered learning environment marked by a respect for diverse abilities, backgrounds, and contributions by all members of the university community.

As the third-largest unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, West Georgia Technical College is committed to helping the citizens of Carroll, Coweta, Douglas, Haralson, Heard, Meriweather, and Troup counties improve their quality of life, achieve their dreams, and make their communities a better place to live. The open-access institution serves traditional and nontraditional students pursuing everything from personal enrichment to career development to university transfer and offers a wide range of certificate, diploma, and degree programs; continuing education opportunities; corporate training for business and industry; virtual learning programs; and more. It views itself as a model of innovation and excellence in technical education, one that is recognized as an outstanding pathway to rewarding careers, and it strives to meet the changing needs of business and industry by providing a skilled workforce through the delivery of relevant education and training opportunities.

“We are extremely proud to offer this new pathway for our students to continue their education beyond the associate degree level,” said Steve G. Daniel, president of West Georgia Tech. “Workforce development is our primary mission, and our new articulation agreement with Valdosta State is a great way for our students to keep learning and growing into careers that propel them and all of Georgia forward.”

The Pathways Program centers on the priorities of Complete College Georgia, an initiative developed to increase the number of Georgians earning a college degree. It is a collaboration between Valdosta State University and partner institutions like West Georgia Technical College to allow students with approved Associate of Applied Science or Associate of Applied Technology degrees to maximize the transfer of credits in order to complete a bachelor’s degree in two years or less. Pathways students can expect 51 or more transferable credit hours to be applied to either of the three articulated programs, Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership, Bachelor of Applied Science in human capital performance, or Bachelor of Science in office administration and technology, all of which are offered completely online. 

It is projected that over 60 percent of jobs in Georgia will require a certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree by 2020. Presently, approximately 42 percent of the state’s young adults, its developing workforce, are prepared to such a level, which means that Georgia must not only maintain current graduation levels but also produce an additional estimated 250,000 graduates in upcoming years to remain competitive.

VSU has now signed Pathways Program articulation agreements with 15 Technical College System of Georgia institutions of higher education — Wiregrass Georgia Technical College in Valdosta South Georgia Technical College in Americus, Southern Regional Technical College in Thomasville, Albany Technical College in Albany, Savannah Technical College in Savannah, Gwinnett Technical College in Lawrenceville, Central Georgia Technical College in Macon, Lanier Technical College in Oakwood, North Georgia Technical College in Clarkesville, Coastal Pines Technical College in Jesup, Ogeechee Technical College in Statesboro, Southern Crescent Technical College in Griffin, Southeastern Technical College in Vidalia and Swainsboro, Georgia Northwestern Technical College in Rome, and West Georgia Technical College, which has campuses in Carrollton, Douglasville, LaGrange, Newnan, and Waco and additional instructional sites in Franklin and Greenville.

On the Web:

http://www.valdosta.edu/welcome.php

http://www.westgatech.edu

Articulated Programs

• Associate of Applied Science degrees in accounting, business administrative technology, business management, criminal justice technology, early childhood care and education, logistics and supply chain management, and marketing management are the articulated programs for West Georgia Technical College students who wish to pursue either a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership or a Bachelor of Applied Science in human capital performance at Valdosta State University.

• Associate of Applied Science degrees in accounting, business administrative technology, business management, and marketing management are the articulated programs for West Georgia Technical College students who wish to pursue a Bachelor of Science in office administration and technology at Valdosta State University. 

Valdosta State University’s 2013-2019 Strategic Plan represents a renewal of energy and commitment to the foundational principles for comprehensive institutions.

Implementation of the plan’s five goals, along with their accompanying objectives and strategies, supports VSU’s institutional mission and the University System of Georgia’s mission for comprehensive universities. 

The story above demonstrates VSU's commitment to meeting the following goals: 

Goal 1: Recruit, retain, and graduate a quality, diverse student population and prepare students for roles as leaders in a global society.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/planning/strategic-plan.php to learn more.