South Ark signs dual admission memo with SAU
South Arkansas Community College President Dr. Barbara Jones announced the college signed a dual admission memorandum of understanding with Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia.
During a board of trustees meeting, Jones said that South Ark has many of these agreements with SAU, but this one helps students who wish to attend the Magnolia university after they receive a degree in El Dorado.
Recognizing the demand for an educated labor force and the need to reduce student debt, Jones facilitated the MOU to help students realize cost-effective pathways to earning a bachelors degree in a timely process, according to a SAU press release.
The MOU, signed on Nov. 14, speeds up the transfer process and students who complete a request form before completing 30 credit hours and start SAU coursework within a year of obtaining an associates degree can qualify, according to the press release.
Jones said that locks in student completion at South Ark before they finish their education at SAU.
She went on to describe the benefits of the dual enrollment memo to board trustees and administrators.
“It puts them in where they’ll be meeting with an adviser and just making sure they stay on track, to be able to take the courses that’ll maximize the number of courses that they can send," Jones said. "They will give some type of temporary ID … that they can use their library, attend some other activities, use their gymnasium or other facilities over there,” she said.
Benefits also include yearly transcript review, career services and transfer planning.
SAU also signed a MOU with SAU Tech in Camden. In addition to SAU President Dr. Trey Berry, SAU Tech Chancellor Dr. Jason Morrison, South Ark students and administrators got to witness the signing as well, according to the press release.
The South Ark board of trustees next meeting is scheduled to be held at 3:45 p.m. Jan. 16 in the administrative office boardroom, located on the west campus.
Brittany Williams may be reached at 870-8626611 or bwilliams@eldoradonews.com. Follow her on Twitter and like her on Facebook @BWilliamsEDNT for updates on Union County school news.