Pictured above is ASU President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr., and TSCC President, Dr. Kemba Chambers (photo credit: David Campbell/ASU).
ASU and Trenholm State Sign an Enrollment Agreement That Benefits Early Childhood Education and Music Degrees
By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU
Students at Trenholm State Community College (TSCC) in Montgomery, Ala., will benefit from a concurrent enrollment agreement that was signed on August 29 in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) ceremony that was formalized at Alabama State University between ASU President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr., and TSCC President, Dr. Kemba Chambers.
The MOU allows Trenholm State students to complete coursework in the Early Childhood Education program in ASU's College of Education and in the University's Music program within the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Students wishing to continue on to earn a degree from ASU will have a seamless transition to the University.
"We are thankful to our colleagues at Trenholm State for working with us at Alabama State to make this important agreement a reality today," President Ross said. "This will not only be beneficial for students, but it will also be impactful for education throughout the state of Alabama because it will help increase the ranks of teachers for our students during this time of teacher shortages. All of which helps to make the community better."
Ross expressed excitement that two historically black educational institutions are coming together to help create a better future for students and for the educational landscape of the community.
"This is yet another example of Alabama State University's dedication to student success and in bettering the community," Ross said.
In addition to President Ross and President Chambers, a number of high-ranking administrative officials and faculty from both schools were in attendance for the signing, including ASU's coordinator of the MOU ceremony, Dr. Tanjula Petty, assistant provost for Student Success and Special Initiatives, and Dr. Brad Fricks, Trenholm State's executive vice president for Instructional Services.
TRENHOLM PRESIDENT COMMENTS ABOUT AGREEMENT
President Chambers explained that the MOU is student centered.
"This agreement offers a seamless pathway for Trenholm State's students to more easily obtain their AA degree at our school and then go on to obtain a Bachelor's degree from ASU in either music or education without having to engage in repeating any classes. In helping the community and the state with enriching teacher-programs will allow our effort today to contribute to the increase in the number of teachers in both education and in music," Chambers stated.
GREAT CARE WENT INTO THE DETAILS
The chair of ASU's Department of Music, Dr. Carly Johnson, explained that a lot of work and careful thought was given by faculty at both schools to make sure the transfer agreement provided students with the greatest benefits possible.
Dr. Johnson specifically commented on the music portion of the MOU.
"Great care was taken by the music faculty from both ASU and Trenholm State to align the music curriculum between both institutions (under the MOU) so that Trenholm State students will be able to transition seamlessly into the music program at ASU without missing a beat," Johnson stated. "This groundwork eliminates potential barriers like the need to repeat previous content, as it is our goal for students to be able to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from ASU in four semesters after transferring in with an Associate of Arts degree from Trenholm State. At ASU, we look for the best and brightest music students and we bring in new students on scholarship from some of the top performing arts high schools in the country...we are confident in the commitment of our colleagues at Trenholm State to developing and preparing our own local talent right here in Montgomery to be just as successful."
Johnson added that she hopes the new MOU will enable the University to continue to build and nurture its own "local arts ecosystem."
PRESIDENT ROSS STATED THE MOU ALIGNS WITH ASU'S STRATEGIC PLAN
President Ross said the agreement aligns with the University's strategic plan in two important areas: student success and 'CommUniversity,' a term that denotes ASU reaching out to help the community.
"With both schools partnering today, we can guarantee success for the students participating in this new MOU agreement, and it ultimately helps our community and helps our students be successful in school and in life. Most of all, we understand how important it is for our two historically black schools to come together and show the importance of collaboration in aiding and promoting success one student at a time," Ross said.
News media contact: ASU's Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4104.
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