(Photo credit: Lew Fraga)
Shenandoah University is part of a consortium of Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV) institutions entering into a landmark agreement with Richard Bland College of the College of William and Mary.
The agreement guarantees admission for graduates of Richard Bland College into a number of CICV colleges and universities. Richard Bland College, an extension of the College of William and Mary located in Petersburg, Va., is the first two-year college that is not a community college to partner with the CICV, and its students must graduate with at least a 3.0 GPA and with an Associate in Art or an Associate in Science degree to participate in the program.
“Shenandoah University has partnered with Richard Bland College for a number of years to provide this type of transfer agreement, but bringing more private colleges and universities into the fold creates greater opportunities for student success,” said Vice President for Enrollment Management & Student Success Clarresa Morton, Ph.D.
“This umbrella agreement brings a heightened awareness that Virginia’s private higher education institutions are a wonderful option for Richard Bland College students to finish their education. These students are accustomed to a close, high-touch environment, and at a Virginia private institution, they’ll continue that experience,” Dr. Morton said.
Shenandoah University joined Averett University, Hampden-Sydney College, Hampton University, Liberty University, Lynchburg College, Randolph-Macon College and Virginia Union University in crafting this umbrella Guaranteed Transfer Agreement. Additional CICV colleges also are expected to participate in the agreement in the near future. The agreement will help students throughout Virginia achieve their educational goals at the college of their choice in a seamless and affordable manner.
These institutions signed this unprecedented agreement to assure that Richard Bland College graduates will be accepted as junior-level students at their institutions, thus creating a visible and viable pathway to their four-year degrees. This public/private partnership in higher education is historic for the state of Virginia, and creates another important—and affordable—educational pathway for our citizens.
“At Richard Bland College, we strive to provide our students with advancement opportunities at every phase of their journey,” said President of Richard Bland College of the College of William and Mary Debbie L. Sydow, Ph.D. “The Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia is a distinguished group of institutions. With this agreement in place, attractive new transfer options are available to our students.”
“Richard Bland College provides students with the academic foundation they need to be successful in future endeavors,” said CICV President Robert Lambeth. “We are honored to partner with Richard Bland College and look forward to sharing in the success of future students.”
