Jackson State and 6 TTCs Inked Articulation Agreement Jan. 11

Jan 9th, 2013

Jackson State Community College (JSCC) and six Tennessee Technology Centers inked an articulation agreement on Friday, January 11 at 1 p.m. in Jackson States McWherter Center Kisber Conference Room.

Those attending the signing ceremony included: Dr. Bruce Blanding, President of Jackson State, President; Arrita Summers, Director of the TTC at Crump; Carolyn Beverly, Director of the TTC at Whiteville; Jeff Sisk, Director of the TTC at Jackson and Lexington Campus; and Dr. Bradley White, Director at the TTC at Paris and McKenzie.

For the purposes of this policy, Articulation Agreement will be defined as: A joint academic program agreement between a faculty/program of Jackson State Community College (JSCC) and a faculty/program of a Tennessee Technology Center (TTC).

The foundation of such an agreement is recognition for the course content and course credit weight, and for the standards of pedagogy and rigor of the TTC program taught by the instructor of record at the time of the agreement. In addition, the articulation provides students with an opportunity to complement their studies with the completion of an Associates of Applied Science degree (AAS) at JSCC.

The goal of this articulation is three-fold; 1) to increase the number of students who desire and are willing to earn an AAS by facilitating a seamless transition for TTC completers into the JSCC Industrial Technology degree program, 2) meet the demanding needs of the manufacturing field through continued education and work readiness, 3) maintain positive lines of communication between JSCC and TTC allowing future collaborates.

Some of the benefits to students include:


  1. Eases transition from one educational institution to another;
  2. Eliminates coursework duplication;
  3. Reduces educational expenses;
  4. Encourages educational goal setting and the development of plans to achieve those goals; and
  5. Provides convenient access to higher education through the on-line JSCC Industrial Technology program.

Terri Messer, Dean of Business, Industrial Technology and Computer Information Systems/Associate Professor of Economics at Jackson State, fostered this campaign to allow a partnership between JSCC and the TTC that would promote a ladder of training enabling students to enter the workforce with superior training.

As the trend of manufacturing changes from a strictly hands-on skill set to a need to know how to learn industry, Dean Messer formed a faculty driven committee to meet the needs of the employers, as well as the future employees.

In October 2011, the committee began by developing a comprehensive presentation that includes JSCC Multi-Skilled Maintenance Technician (MSMT) program design, course curriculum, sample exams, cost sheet, and JSCC admissions process. Letters were mailed to seven (7) surrounding TTCs, and appointments were made to meet with the TTCs Industrial Maintenance Instructors.

Throughout the balance of the fall 2011 and spring 2012, committee members met with each of the seven TTCs IM instructors forming partnerships, touring the facilities, meeting administrators and students, observing classroom activities, thoroughly discussing course curriculum and even sharing some tricks of trade.

Instructors were left with a 'Course Equivalency' form to complete and return to JSCC. The committee continued to cultivate the relationship between the two programs with phone calls, emails and personal visits. When the 'Course Equivalency' forms were completed and returned, Dean Messer reconvened the committee and formed a Course-by-Course Articulation that will best serve all involved.

To see pictures from this event, visit the JSCC Facebook page athttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Jackson-State-Community-College-JSCC/32151230043.

For additional information, contact Catherine Roberts, Career Program Retention Specialist for Jackson State, at (731) 425-9584 or by email at croberts7@jscc.edu..



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