King President Alexander W. Whitaker IV and SWCC President Thomas F. Wright, Ed.D.
King University and Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) announced a new program agreement Tuesday that will provide qualifying SWCC students with dual admission and guaranteed acceptance to King.
King President Alexander W. Whitaker IV and SWCC President Thomas F. Wright, Ed.D., signed the agreement during a news conference in King University’s Student Center. The collaboration offers students the advantage of a structured approach for completion of an associate’s degree at SWCC, followed by pursuit of a bachelor’s degree through enrollment at King.
“We are committed to increasing access to higher education for students throughout our region, with the goal of enhancing their potential for future success,” Whitaker said. “Studies show that students who attain an associate’s degree have a greater likelihood of achieving a bachelor’s degree, which expands their professional development, career opportunities and earning potential. We’re proud to partner with SWCC on this agreement, which provides two-year SWCC graduates a seamless opportunity to continue their studies at King.”
Students enrolled in the dual admission program will:
- Benefit from a strongly supportive learning environment while at SWCC;
- Work jointly with academic advisors at both institutions to determine course selections, based on the associate degrees they are pursuing and their academic programs of choice at King; and
- Receive a guided transition to King, culminating in a lower-cost bachelor’s degree from the University.
“This agreement provides an excellent opportunity for SWCC students to achieve the next step in their educational journey,” Wright said. “We have a longstanding partnership with King, and are pleased to collaborate further in the effort to streamline our students’ access to a four-year degree.”
Acceptance to King will be provided as early as the beginning of the third semester of enrollment at SWCC, and students will be able to register during King’s earliest registration event during the semester in which they will be graduating from SWCC.