Exactly where to pursue a bachelor’s degree upon completing two years at Centralia College has always been a question for students from Lewis County, and with economic hardship facing many, potential answers have narrowed.
But Tuesday, the college took one of its largest steps in answering that question with a solution close to home, partnering with Brandman University to offer services and coursework to current students at Centralia College while allowing them to seamlessly transfer an associates in arts degree to Brandman upon completion of classes locally.
Officials from both Centralia College and Brandman, an Irvine, Calif.-based university with a campus in Lacey, inked a partnership agreement in a private ceremony at the Science Center that opened the doors for students at the two-year school to transfer applicable credits to more than 200 bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as credential and certificate programs. Eligible students will receive junior-level standing at Brandman under the new program.
“There hasn’t historically been a four-year option for students in Centralia that was close to home, and that’s been problematic for a lot of students over the years,” Centralia College Trustee Judy Guenther said. “This addresses one of the biggest needs we’ve had, to serve those who find it cost-prohibitive to travel, those who want to remain here while seeking higher education and a good portion of our job retraining students as well.”
The partnership allows students to attend either night courses at Brandman’s Lacey campus, perform coursework online complete with live lectures, or a combination of both. Representatives from Brandman will make frequent trips to Centralia to help staff at Centralia College advise students on paths to completing both their associates and bachelor’s degrees should they choose to receive their education through Brandman.
“Success should not hinge on when in life you attend school or the economic environment,” Brandman Chancellor Gary Brahm said. “We see the need to help students in our rural communities become successful.”
One of Brandman’s major selling points, Brahm said, is many of its four-year degrees are offered for around $30,000 because of the availability of distance learning and night courses. That figure hopes to serve as a bright point to prospective students who otherwise might not have made the choice to attend college due to lack of finances or funds.
“When Centralia College sends its students to us as part of this partnership, we want to do our best to make every one of them successful regardless of economic ability or age,” Brahm said.
New Centralia College Trustee Jim Lowery called the partnership a “win-win” for both Centralia and Brandman, as the college continues to forge ahead with new ways to reach students in the face of a potential $2 million in cuts.
“I look and see the effects of the recession in a lot of the makeup of our student base, especially with more people coming here for job retraining,” Lowery said. “This gives us a beautiful opportunity to boost our services in the face of state budget cuts, and it makes sure we’re still the primary option for higher education here in Lewis County.”
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Christopher Brewer: (360) 807-8235
