FREEPORT — During a Monday afternoon meeting on the Highland Community College campus in Freeport, representatives from Northern Illinois University and Highland Community College held a ceremonial signing of a reverse transfer credit articulation agreement between the institutions. The agreement was formally approved by Highland’s Board of Trustees in February and subsequently signed by HCC President Tim Hood and Northern Illinois University President Doug Baker. The agreement allows eligible NIU students who transferred from Highland without associate degrees to earn the two-year degree using credit from NIU courses.
Through the agreement, credits completed at NIU may be transferred back to HCC and used to satisfy the degree requirements for an associate degree.
“This agreement recognizes the significance of completing an associate degree,” said Highland President Tim Hood. “For various reasons, some students transfer to four-year institutions before completing all of the requirements needed to earn an associate of arts or science degree. This agreement will allow them the option to use courses taken at NIU to fulfill those requirements and gain the valuable diploma.”
NIU President Doug Baker praised the significance of the agreement, stating “Students want a hassle-free transfer process and to receive credit for the work they do. This reverse transfer agreement provides just that. It is a wonderful tool that allows students to demonstrate their determination to excel to future employers and graduate institutions. It is also another example of how institutions of public higher education in Illinois can collaborate to deliver high-quality, affordable education.”
HCC President Tim Hood watches as Ron Smith, Director of Community College Partnerships at NIU, signs the affirmation of the reverse transfer agreement between Highland and NIU on Monday, April 24, in the Robert J. Rimington Board Room at Highland Community College in Freeport. Also pictured from left is Highland’s Director of Enrollment and Records Jeremy Bradt, NIU Vice Provost of Undergraduate Academic Affairs Dr. Anne Birberick, Chair of the Highland Board of Trustees Doug Block, and NIU Director of Registration and Records Jerry Montag.
For more information about reverse transfer from Northern Illinois University to Highland Community College, contact NIU Director of Registration and Records Jerry Montag at jerry.montag@niu.edu or 815.573.1747 or HCC Director of Enrollment and Records Jeremy Bradt at jeremy.bradt@highland.edu or 815.599.3500.
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OFFICE OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS
2998 W. Pearl City Road
Freeport, IL 61032-9341
815-235-6121
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