The partnership, called Diploma to Degree, is being launched as a local pilot for high school students interested in studying Business. The memorandum of understanding was signed at the event by ˿Ƶ Tech President, Dr. Nagi Naganathan; Klamath Falls City School District Superintendent, Dr. Paul Hillyer; and Klamath County School District Superintendent, Glen Szymoniak. The signing marks the first partnership of this kind, with the program expected to expand to business programs at high schools statewide as early as next year.
“I’ve been anticipating a partnership of this magnitude between our schools,” said President Naganathan. “High school is one of the most pivotal points in an individual’s life. It’s the time when so much growing up is being done and students are learning what they want for their future. The choices that students make in high school can give them a huge step forward into that future, and ˿Ƶ Tech is here to provide that opportunity. I want to thank Professor Sandra Bailey, Dr. Erika Veth, and our other colleagues who have worked closely with the school districts as well as our partners in the school districts in helping to launch this program.”
Students at participating high schools who are active participants in business clubs and take dual credit courses can apply for this accelerated pathway to a college degree. High school graduates in the program who enroll in an ˿Ƶ Tech bachelor’s degree program in Business will receive tuition discounts on their first and last terms at ˿Ƶ Tech. The program guides students into early credit opportunities while in high school, resulting in considerable savings of time and money, with seamless transfer and zero loss of credit for those who pursue a business degree at ˿Ƶ Tech. Dual credit courses taken as part of the program will also transfer to other ˿Ƶ colleges and universities.
Professor Sandra Bailey, faculty lead from ˿Ƶ Tech’s Business Management Department, is pleased that the partnership has been designed with a focus on access and opportunity for local students. “The ultimate goal of the program is to promote a business foundation, leadership skills, academic preparation, and successful transition into college regardless of the pathway high school graduates take to the degree of their choice,” stated Professor Bailey.
- Reduce barriers for students as they work towards and achieve their educational goals
- Create new opportunities for students to access accelerated learning through dual credit courses at their high schools and on the ˿Ƶ Tech campus
- Provide seamless coursework from high school to a bachelor’s in the field of Business at ˿Ƶ Tech
- Improve student success, retention, time to degree and degree attainment
The Business & Technology programs at ˿Ƶ Tech provide students with technology-infused business skills, giving graduates the edge in today's data-driven global marketplace. Programs include Accounting, Business Management, Health Informatics, Healthcare Management, Information Technology, Operations Management, Marketing, and Technology & Management. A new Cybersecurity program is also expected to launch within the next year.
Students will be able to apply to the Diploma to Degree Program through their local high school counselor or business teacher and must maintain a high school GPA of 3.0. Students must also participate in FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and/or DECA at their respective high schools. The program tuition discount is stackable with additional scholarships and awards for which students qualify.
For more information on the MOU, contact ˿Ƶ Tech Director of Academic Agreements Marla Edge at 541.885.1034 or marla.edge@oit.edu.
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