JWCC and WIU make agricultural articulation agreement official

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By DAVID CAMPHOUSE

John Wood Community College (JWCC) and Western Illinois University (WIU) signed an agricultural articulation agreement on Friday. Present for the signing were JWCC President Dr. Bryan Renfro, WIU President Dr. Guiyou Huang, faculty and staff from both institutions and JWCC students.

Articulation agreements document a pathway between two or more colleges or universities and their academic programs. Colleges and universities publish articulation agreements after reviewing the curriculum and the level of instruction. The agreements simplify the complexity of determining what courses to take. They focus on a specific area of study and help students who complete two years of college before attending the four-year program. Transfer agreements are guidelines that highlight an acknowledgement and partnership between schools worth following to avoid the often costly and sometimes confusing process of credit transfer.

According to JWCC Agriculture Department Faculty Chair Mike Tenhouse, the ceremony on Friday helps JWCC transfer students more seamlessly attain a Bachelor’s Degree from WIU within four years..

“Having the agreement in place will ensure an easier transfer,” Tenhouse said.

Tenhouse said that JWCC’s Agriculture Department has long had a good working relationship with the Agriculture Department at WIU, but the new agreement would codify a JWCC student’s ability to finish a WIU Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture in four years.

“For a long time, we’ve had sort of a gentleman’s agreement,” Tenhouse said. “This agreement will put it all on paper, and it puts more on the student as far as what coursework they need to do.”

JWCC President Bryan Renfro shared, “We at John Wood Community College are proud of our partnership with Western Illinois University. Our institutions have a long-standing history of working together to provide opportunities to students across Central Illinois. We are committed to continued collaboration to improve lives through education, discovery, and service. The signing of this articulation agreement for our agricultural programs is representative of the many opportunities we provide for students to pursue their hopes and dreams. JWCC and WIU share the belief that education changes life—a truth we see daily in our students and graduates. Partnering with Dr. Huang, his team, and the institution is an honor.”

This Articulation Agreement, referred to also as a 2+2 Agreement, is for those students who transfer from JWCC with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Agricultural Business and pursue a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science at WIU.

“Western Illinois University is excited to partner with John Wood Community College to offer a smooth transfer experience and transition for agriculture students wishing to continue their education. We look forward to continuing to work with John Wood to provide agreements that benefit students in the region,” WIU President Guiyou Huang said.

With this agreement in place, students are assured that when transferring credit hours, they can complete their BS degree with the standard two years’ worth of courses.