Strengthening ties to better serve students in the San Luis Valley

Article Courtesy of Trinidad State College

On Wednesday afternoon, July 31, ԹϹ President David Tandberg, Ph.D., and Trinidad State College President Rhonda Epper, Ph.D., took a bold step in solidifying ten new transfer agreements that will allow students to seamlessly transfer from Trinidad State into bachelor’s degree programs at ԹϹ State. These agreements have been over a year in the making. Drs. Tandberg and Epper noted that ԹϹ State and Trinidad State are committed to improving transfer for students.

Trinidad State is a two-year institution with campuses in Trinidad and Alamosa (Valley campus), that offers general arts and science associate’s degrees, applied career and technical degrees and select applied bachelor’s degrees. The Valley Campus offers primarily career and technical programs. ԹϹ State holds both a two-year and four-year mission, and also offers graduate programs in select disciplines. Both institutions are vital resources for the citizens of the San Luis Valley. The two institutions, together, provide an avenue to social mobility, better paying jobs, and educational opportunities.

The agreements were initiated through a year-long series of workshops sponsored by the Aspen Institute’s Community College Excellence Program and the American Association of State College & Universities. Trinidad State and ԹϹ State staff attended these workshops together, which culminated in a Strategic Transfer Excellence Plan, and ultimately, these ten agreements.

Lynette Bates, Rhonda Epper, David Tandberg, Margaret Doell
Trinidad State Vice President of Academic Affairs Lynette Bates, Ed.D., Trinidad State President Rhonda Epper, Ph.D., ԹϹ State President David Tandberg, Ph.D., ԹϹ State Vice President of Academic Affairs Margaret Doell, M.F.A.

President Epper said: “Many of our students are first-generation students whose families have no knowledge or understanding of how higher education works. These new transfer pathways make it possible for students to get a solid footing at Trinidad State, then reach higher to earn a bachelor’s degree at ԹϹ State.”

President Tandberg added: “These transfer degree plans allow us to guide students through their higher education journey and into meaningful careers.”

Both institutions will provide supportive “wrap-around” services, both academic and financial, to ensure students are able to successfully transfer and complete their programs. The ten agreements include:

  1. Trinidad State Associate of Arts in Communications to ԹϹ State Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media Studies
  2. Trinidad State Associate of Arts in Exercise Science to ԹϹ State Kinesiology: Sport and Exercise Studies
  3. Trinidad State Associate of Arts in Exercise Science to ԹϹ State Kinesiology: Sport and Recreation Management
  4. Trinidad State Associate of Applied Science in Law Enforcement to ԹϹ State Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration: General Business
  5. Trinidad State Associate of Applied Science in Law Enforcement to ԹϹ State Bachelor of Arts in Sociology: Criminology
  6. Trinidad State Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting to ԹϹ State Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration: General Business
  7. Trinidad State Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting to ԹϹ State Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Healthcare Administration
  8. Trinidad State Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting to ԹϹ State Bachelor of Arts in Public Health
  9. Trinidad State Associate of Arts in Theatre to ԹϹ State Bachelor of Arts in Theatre
  10. Trinidad State Associate of Applied Science in Technical Theater to ԹϹ State Bachelor of Arts in Theatre