Representatives from Arkansas Tech University and Black River Technical College met on Tuesday, Feb. 11, to discuss ways in which the two institutions could collaborate to expand educational opportunities for students.
Conversations centered on programs offered at Black River Technical College that could be aligned to create a seamless transfer to ATU for BRTC graduates.
Arkansas Tech was represented in the conversations by Dr. Jeff Aulgur, interim dean of the ATU College of eTech; Dr. Judy Cezeaux, dean of the ATU College of Engineering and Applied Sciences; Dr. Kevin Mason, interim dean of the ATU College of Business; Dr. Sandy Smith, head of the ATU Department of Emergency Management; and Dr. David Ward, head of the ATU Department of Behavioral Sciences.
At the end of the session, ATU President Dr. Robin E. Bowen and BRTC President Dr. Martin Eggensperger signed a memorandum of understanding formalizing the working relationship between the two institutions.
The purpose of the agreement stated in the MOU is as follows:
“To facilitate the admission and transfer of eligible BRTC students into approved baccalaureate degree programs at ATU, as specified in the attached addenda. Both parties agree to offer students a seamless degree completion option to improve the economic status and employment opportunities available to citizens with a baccalaureate degree in the state of Arkansas and the nation.”
The terms of the agreement in the MOU are as follows:
“It is agreed that any student who has earned an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from, and is in good standing with BRTC will be eligible to transfer to ATU for an approved baccalaureate degree program with full junior classification upon admission, subject to the provisions listed (in this MOU), in the attached program specific addenda, Higher Learning Commission requirements, in Arkansas Law and in the Arkansas Department of Higher Education Transfer System.”
