SCC Launches Honors Program, Signs Agreement

05/01/2019

Students attending SCC this fall have another program that will boost their résumé upon graduation, whether their plan is to step into the career field or move on to a 4-year school.

The college will launch its inaugural Honors Program this coming fall and will sign its first articulation agreement with Western Illinois University on May 7 at 3 p.m. in the board room of the West Burlington campus.

Dr. Richard Hardy, WIU's Dean of Centennial Honors College, is an SCC alumnus who has supported SCC's program since its inception.

"He has been on board to support our students since he approached us months ago, during the Honors Program Committee's planning stages," says Dr. Janet Shepherd, SCC's Honors Advisor and Director of Institutional Research, Planning, and Effectiveness. "The Committee is thrilled that this day for WIU and SCC to sign the articulation agreement is finally here."

SCC is proud to offer a program for students with GPAs of 3.5 or higher who will enroll in challenging courses, participate in regional and national conferences, network with President Ash as well as Board members, and engage in co-curricular activities intended to enhance their college experiences.

"We know SCC offers a quality education. The Iowa Department of Education employment statistics show that our students are successful, with 100% of our graduates in 13 career programs landing jobs within a year after their graduation in 2017," Shepherd says. "What has been missing is a program for our students with exceptional GPAs to develop their full potential alongside classmates with the same passion for academia in courses developed for them."

From SCC, President Michael Ash, Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Carole Richardson, and Dr. Shepherd will be attendance at the articulation signing. They will be joined by WIU representatives President Jack Thomas, Interim Provost and Vice President William Clow, Senior Vice President for Strategic Planning and Initiatives Dr. Joe Rives, and Dr. Hardy.

SCC officials are in discussions with Iowa's three regent universities and a handful of private colleges to enter into similar honors program articulation agreements.

"We're close to signing articulation agreements with a few more colleges," adds Shepherd. "These articulation agreements are a testament to the quality of education students receive here at SCC and will open additional pathways for our graduates into four-year institutions."

SCC is now accepting applications for the Honors Program.

Interested students can learn more at SCC's Honors Program webpage.

For more news or to learn about Southeastern Community College, visit: https://www.scciowa.edu/aboutscc/office_mktg_comm/news/