03/29/16 ks/kb
ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Thanks to a new partnership, students who earn an associate degree from Cowley College will now be able to transfer their credits more easily to Fort Hays State University in pursuit of four-year degrees.

Officials from both schools met Monday, March 27, on the Cowley College campus in Arkansas City to sign a memorandum of understanding that creates the new partnership, which is being called Tiger2Tiger Pathways -- both schools' athletic teams compete as Tigers.

The partnership is a version of the traditional 2-plus-2 agreement, which assures participating students that all their hours will transfer when they move from a two-year school to a four-year school. However, Tiger2Tiger Pathways has additional benefits, including establishing a number of transfer scholarships for Cowley College graduates who have a minimum 3.0 grade point average and who transfer to Fort Hays State.

Dr. Mirta M. Martin, FHSU president said: "Dennis and I started to dream about the endless educational possibilities we could envision for the Cowley Tigers. Today, through our Tiger2Tiger partnership, the FHSU Tiger family welcomes the Cowley Tigers. Today, the dream that started months ago becomes a reality."

Speaking specifically about Tiger2Tiger Pathways, Dr. Martin continued: "Community colleges play an essential role in creating pathways to education for many students. They are the 'on-ramp' to education. We are honored to be able to provide a seamless educational opportunity for individuals who wish to pursue degrees above an associate. We are honored that the Cowley Tigers have chosen to make Fort Hays State University their destination of choice."

Dr. Dennis Rittle, Cowley president, also talked about the new partnership during the signing ceremony. "This partnership between Fort Hays State University and Cowley College illustrates the supreme priority both institutions place upon developing forward-thinking solutions which reduce time and cost for students to complete an education and which equip students with relevant skills to better their lives," he said.

Monday's signing took place at the Calder-Bonfy Amphitheatre on Cowley College's main campus in Arkansas City.

An effort will be made to refine and further develop additional 2-plus-2 agreements between the institutions with the goal of a seamless transfer of credit so that entire two-year degree programs of study transfer to a comparable four-year degree program of study.