Emporia State University and Flint Hills Technical College are opening more doors for students at the post-secondary level through a recently signed agreement that will provide a seamless transition from one institution to the other.
Tuesday afternoon, leadership of ESU and FHTC gathered in the college’s conference room as FHTC President Dr. Caron Daugherty and ESU President Matthew Baker affixed their signatures to a new articulation agreement for students in the FHTC Graphic Arts Technology program. This is a two-plus-two agreement, meaning once students complete their time at FHTC, they will be able to directly transfer to ESU without having to repeat any credits or courses related to their field of study.
According to Baker, the agreement has been in the works since the day he set foot in the president’s office.
Tuesday, Baker stated during the signing ceremony that this agreement is first and foremost about creating greater opportunities for all students and meeting the needs they have. Furthermore, he says it keeps the door open for students who may initially believe the traditional four-year college experience is not for them should they change their mind down the road, noting that education always has to account for variable change.
For Daugherty, this agreement is a great tool to help increase retention and recruitment of qualified skilled workers locally, which she says will provide long-term benefits to ESU, FHTC and the community as a whole.
Daugherty also noted that this agreement is one of many currently in the works across a variety of programs, and a strong indicator of both institutions’ strength and potential moving forward.
This is not the only time the two higher learning institutions will come together for a ceremony like this this week. Thursday, the college and university will convene with leadership from Newman Regional Health at the ESU Nursing and Student Wellness Center to sign a healthcare alliance to further healthcare education locally.
That signing will take place at 8:30 am.
