ODESSA (April 4, 2018) – At a joint press conference on the OC campus, Odessa College and UTPB presidents signed the official Pathways Articulation Agreement today establishing transfer pathways for students transferring from OC to UTPB for bachelor degree completion in specific degrees.
UTPB President Sandra Woodley and OC President Gregory D. Williams told the audience that today’s event signified the kick off for new and expanded partnerships between the two schools.
Dr. Williams stated, “This agreement will make the transition from OC to UTPB even better for our students who want to continue their education and earn their baccalaureate degrees – and we won’t stop here. We will continue to refine these pathways as we go forward.”
Dr. Woodley added, “This partnership is important in order to best serve students in our region and beyond. Working with Odessa College allows us to help students navigate the path to earn their baccalaureate degree. We are committed to being student-focused and responsive to our community.”
The Pathways agreement, in contrast to previous OC-UTPB articulation agreements, is the first articulation agreement between OC and UTPB to have the course levels specifically identified for four-year Pathways to baccalaureate degrees.
“When students begin conceiving what their possibilities are, they often have preconceived fears about starting at one institution and finishing at another, such as ‘will my courses transfer, how do I to get from here to there, will I get lost in the process?’” said OC Vice President for Instruction Valerie Jones. “Having the Pathways readily visible up front can help alleviate those fears and give them very tangible and concrete assurance that the two schools are in this together for the students’ benefit.”
She stated that if students decide to shift into a different program for their major course of study, then both institutions have the tools to be sure that students are maximizing the courses they have taken and know fully what the transition time is going to be.
Jones added, “Permian Basin students will know that starting at one of the best community colleges in the nation and transferring to their outstanding home University is simply a great idea.”