UWP and CLC sign academic partnership

The College of Lake County (CLC) and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside today approved an agreement expanding educational options for students in the college's business career programs. The agreement was signed by CLC President Jerry Weber and UW-Parkside Chancellor Debbie Ford at a ceremony on the college's Grayslake (Ill.) Campus attended by administrators, faculty and students.

Flickr album from event. 

CLC graduate Patrick Holmes, now a student pursuing an business management major at Parkside, told the audience of the importance of a clear education path. "These two institutions have had a profound impact on allowing me to grow and develop into the man I am today," Holmes said. "My education at CLC gave me a strong foundation to build on and has prepared me to succeed at UW-Parkside. 

"I strongly believe every student who takes part in this agreement will be able to have a similar experience."

Depending on the degree program, students who meet admission requirements will be guaranteed transfer of 54 to 62 credits earned as part of their CLC program. Unlike transfer degrees, the A.A.S. degree was developed to prepare students for immediate employment upon graduation rather than specifically for transfer toward a bachelor's degree. 

The signing of the agreement between CLC and Parkside provides a guaranteed transfer pathway for students in the four business-focused A.A.S. degree programs. The CLC agreement is the latest in several articulation agreements established by Parkside that are designed to reduce barriers to higher education.  

"I applaud the hard work of CLC and UW-Parkside faculty and staff who recognized the value of these agreements and worked to make them happen for the benefit of students and our communities," said CLC President Jerry Weber. "Our agreement with Parkside aligns perfectly with our goal of forming strong partnerships with universities to offer students practical pathways to affordable, academically strong bachelor's degree programs."  

UW-Parkside Chancellor Debbie Ford highlighted a history of collaboration between the two institutions. "We may be on different sides of a state line, but the mission of both institutions knows no boundaries – student success," Ford said. "Students who come to us from CLC, and especially those in our business program, graduate at a very high rate. I'm proud to say that CLC and Parkside have worked together to benefit our communities and provide the talent base our businesses and organizations need." 

Students graduating from CLC with A.A.S. degrees in marketing, management, business administration and entrepreneurship/small business management will have the opportunity to transfer into Parkside in the programs of accounting, marketing, management information systems and business management (with concentration areas of general business, finance, and human resource management) in the UW-Parkside College of Business, Economics, and Computing. 

The agreement is considered a true "2-plus-2" agreement allowing students to transfer into the university with junior standing. Some CLC students will be eligible for the Midwest Student Exchange, which allows Illinois students to attend Parkside and pay tuition that is competitive with other four-year institutions in Illinois. Additionally, students who want to begin their education at CLC will have peace of mind knowing that their credits will be accepted at UW-Parkside – and the time and money invested will be recognized. 

In the last three years, 386 CLC students transferred to Parkside, making it among the top 10 transfer destinations. Eighty-two of the students chose majors in the university's College of Business, Economics, and Computing, according to the National Student Clearinghouse. 

Articulation agreements aren't new to the two institutions, but the new agreements are the most broad and extensive – and represent the greatest options offered to students to gain higher education. Most CLC and Parkside students live and work in the region, so the agreement has the ability to greatly impact area students, their families and businesses and organizations.

CLC students wishing to participate in the transfer agreements should contact their program adviser. 

The College of Lake County is a comprehensive community college opened in 1969 to provide local access to higher education. More than 200 degree and certificate options are offered at locations in Grayslake, Waukegan and Vernon Hills, Ill.