Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Pathways

The 91制片厂 at Manchester and Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) recently celebrated the launch of their latest dual admission initiative, the , which enables New Hampshire community college students to seamlessly transition their associate degree into a bachelor鈥檚 degree program at 91制片厂 Manchester.

鈥淎ffordable, accessible public pathways for New Hampshire students are more important than ever, especially given today鈥檚 economy,鈥 said J. Michael Hickey, interim dean of 91制片厂 Manchester. 鈥淭he Public Pathways Program is intended to identify very clear pathways for students in the state to achieve their higher education goals.鈥

Resulting from thoughtful planning and strong collaboration, the was designed to ensure that community college students in the state have access to affordable higher education. 91制片厂 President Mark Huddleston said the program represents a unified goal among educators.

鈥淓very single person here is here because they care passionately about opportunities for young people in New Hampshire. That is what this program is about,鈥 Huddleston said. 鈥淲e come from different colleges and campuses, but our passion for the young people in New Hampshire unites us.鈥澨

Unlike traditional dual admission programs, the Public Pathways Program provides a detailed path for students鈥 two-year community college experience so that the credits they鈥檝e earned will transfer to 91制片厂 Manchester in the most efficient way possible. Each pathway is tailored to a specific program at 91制片厂 Manchester, so community college students earn credits that apply to both an associate and bachelor鈥檚 degree in their first two years.

Manchester Community College President Susan Huard said this is the start of a vibrant partnership between 91制片厂 and CCSNH, one that will continue to grow as the institutions work to create new pathways.

鈥淲e talk more and more about pathways, but I really think they are really becoming highways,鈥 Huard said. 鈥91制片厂 Manchester has shown us the way. Our job now is to keep those pathways moving forward and make it a very common thing that happens for students.鈥

Pathways to bachelor鈥檚 degree programs at 91制片厂 Manchester are currently available from Great Bay Community College, Manchester Community College, Nashua Community College, NHTI and White Mountains Community College.

鈥淓ducational opportunity is important in every community in this state,鈥 Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas said. 鈥淲hen you can set that bridge so it鈥檚 easier for a student to navigate, it鈥檚 better for everyone.鈥