Portland Community College President Preston Pulliams, left, and Marylhurst University President Nancy Wilgenbusch celebrate the recent agreement between their schools.
Officials from Portland Community College, Marylhurst University and Columbia Gorge and Tillamook Bay community colleges this week formalized a partnership to improve student access to undergraduate education.
The agreement helps students receive credit for classes they take at one college when they enter another college to further their education.
Signing the agreement were Portland Community College District President Preston Pulliams,Marylhurst University President Nancy Wilgenbusch, Tillamook Bay Community College President Ralph Orr and Columbia Gorge Community College Dean of Instruction Susan Wolff.
"We are delighted to sign thisarticulationwith Marylhurst University so that PCC students will now have another local option, at a high quality university, to continue their education toward bachelor's degrees and beyond," Pulliams said.
The new partnership will give PCC students more undergraduate course choices, more support services and help them design their educationalprograms according to the careers they are entering, the college leaders said.
"We will provide a seamless transfer process between our institutions and help each student use the excellent education they received at PCC as the foundation to earning a bachelor's degree at Marylhurst University,"said Wilgenbusch. "This agreement is about serving students and helping them be as successful as they can."
The agreement also extends to the smaller colleges, Tillamook and Columbia Gorge.
"Being from a rural college … it is integral that our students have the opportunity to reach their dreams," said Wolff. "This dual enrollment agreement gives them that opportunity."
