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RAYMOND – ��ż��� and the University of West Alabama have entered into a transfer agreement for those who complete their two-year degree.

From left, Dr. Tim Edwards, provost at the University of West Alabama, Dr. Keri Cole, vice president at ��ż���, ��ż��� President Dr. Stephen Vacik, Dr. Ken Tucker, president of the University of West Alabama, Richard Hester, vice president for Student Affairs at UWA, Brenda Jones, transfer admissions counselor at UWA (April Garon/��ż���)

The pact guarantees admission to all ��ż��� students with a 2.0 GPA who have completed their associate degree from ��ż���. Pre-transfer advising is offered either at ��ż��� or at the UWA campus. Those with a 3.0 GPA or higher are eligible for stackable academic transfer scholarships of between $3,000 and $4,000 per semester and renewable for up to four consecutive semesters.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for our students to be able to attend UWA,” said ��ż��� Vice President Dr. Keri Cole during a signing ceremony Sept. 21. “Scholarships are very exciting and I’m quite thankful for their reaching out to us.”

��ż��� students who receive academic scholarships are also guaranteed a UWA Housing Scholarship of $2,000 for their first year to assist with and encourage on-campus residency.

“The more we can work out transfer opportunities for our students, the better. UWA is a school that for a long time made a commitment to the community there and to students who need additional attention – which is our kind of student here at ��ż���,” ��ż��� President Dr. Stephen Vacik said.

“Historically, ��ż��� has not done a lot of these kinds of agreements with out-of-state institutions,” he added. “But, my philosophy is, the more opportunities for our students, the better.”

Vacik and UWA President Dr. Ken Tucker said the two institutions have similar student populations, particularly first-time college students, that would benefit from the agreement, which runs through 2025 and leaves room for future revisions.

“��ż��� has an excellent reputation and our students are very similar,” Tucker said. “Most of our students are first-generation college students. They go on to do very well and we’re proud of that.”