Source: Sue Maes, 785-532-5644, scmaes@k-state.edu
Website: http://www.k-state.edu/2plus2
News release prepared by: Rosanna Vail, 785-532-2720, rvail@k-state.edu
Monday, Sept. 19, 2011
BUSINESS CONNECTION: PARTNERSHIP WITH ALL KANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGES BRINGS K-STATE BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN BUSINESS STATEWIDE
MANHATTAN -- Kansans anywhere in the state can now earn a bachelor's degree in general business from Kansas State University, thanks to partnerships now in place with their nearest community college.
This summer, K-State completed partnership signings with all 19 community colleges in the state of Kansas. These agreements, called 2+2s, outline courses students need to take during two years at their community college, which transfer to a K-State bachelor's degree completion program. Students then complete the remaining two years of course work through K-State distance education.
The general business degree is the first 2+2 program agreement signed by all of Kansas' community colleges.
"Signing 2+2 partnerships with every community college in the state represents a tremendous accomplishment," said K-State President Kirk Schulz. "As part of Vision 2025 we are interested in providing increased access to higher education for all Kansans. Partnering with our community colleges creates new opportunities for students to achieve even more."
Sue Maes, dean of continuing education at K-State, says having an educated work force is critical to the state of Kansas, and joining with these colleges statewide brings greater access to a degree that can help build a healthier economy.
"K-State is proud to take a leadership role in addressing access to college degree completion," Maes said. "These 2+2 partnerships provide a clear degree pathway and significantly improve transferability of credits, which helps eliminate redundant course work and the additional time and financial costs to students, their families, institutions or the government."
The partnerships also can play a role in helping increase the number of Kansans who have bachelor's degrees. According to the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, 448,306 adults in Kansas have some college credits but no bachelor's degree.
Partnering to make the general business bachelor's degree available to all Kansans can help companies hire from a local talent pool of potential employees, said Anand Desai, associate dean for academic administration in the K-State College of Business Administration.
"Graduates of this degree are important for the economic well-being of their communities and the state at large," Desai said. "They could also serve to attract new business to Kansas."
K-State' s next 2+2 milestone focuses on developing agreements in interdisciplinary social science and in technology management with community colleges statewide. Currently, K-State has more than a hundred 2+2 options in place throughout Kansas and at institutions in four other states.
More information about K-State distance education and 2+2s can be found at http://www.k-state.edu/2plus2, or by contacting the K-State Division of Continuing Education at 1-800-622-2578 or informationdce@k-state.edu.
