On Thursday, December 15, Auburn University and Lurleen B. Wallace Community College signed a Memorandum of Understanding (or MOU). The MOU established a partnership to extend Auburn’s Path to the Plains Program to students at all four LBWCC campuses.
Path to the Plains is open to first-year Alabama residents. It offers both exploratory and discipline-specific pathways for students with the goal of transferring to Auburn. The program, which reinforces both institutions’ commitments to accessibility and affordability, allows students to enroll in LBWCC for up two years while they take courses at both institutions at a LBWCC tuition fee.
LBWCC President Brock Kelley joined Auburn President Christopher B. Roberts at the signing. Each president signed the agreement and both noted the importance of the collaboration for increased higher education attainment in Alabama.
Roberts stated, “We are thrilled to offer this program to Lurleen-B. Wallace Community College students and to create viable pathways for them to succeed and eventually earn an Auburn degree.” “Through Path to the Plains we empower students to make the most of the academic resources at both universities by offering affordable courses and using available programs and services.”
Students can choose from traditional disciplinary pathways or explore different career paths. This allows them to be exposed to Auburn courses and academic programs, and also gives them the opportunity for career and personal research. Students are more connected to Auburn’s campus by gaining access to academic resources and advice at both institutions through a strategic connection with faculty, staff, and working professionals in areas that interest them.
Kelley stated that “with the addition of the partnership, the goal to provide resources to remove academic and financial barriers becomes a reality.” The agreement allows students who want to earn a bachelor’s degree from Auburn, but still need the support of a community college, to simultaneously enroll at both institutions. This results in program-directed advising by both LBW as well as Auburn. We are excited to continue to build this partnership. I believe that the program provides a clear path to educational success. We look forward to continuing to work with Auburn University span>
The exploratory option, which was opened this year, offers academic and career advisers who provide personalized and intensive support through two courses at Auburn. The exploratory option allows students to choose a program that suits their needs without having to change majors. This relieves students of the pressure to declare a major prior to starting college.
Path to the Plains was established in 2019 and offers a cost-effective pathway for students who have demonstrated academic success and want to transfer to Auburn. Students are eligible to apply for Auburn admission automatically, as they have been given early access to Auburn courses in their majors. Since 2019, more than 100 students have taken part in this program.
LBW Community College offers affordable technical and academic programs. It also has flexible scheduling and multiple class formats. LBW is an open admission, community-based college that provides affordable, high-quality and accessible education for individuals living in five counties. Dual enrollment, technical training and 2-to-4 year transfer are all available at the College. This prepares students to join Alabama’s expanding workforce.
Contact path@auburn.edu for more information on Path to the Plains.
The post , LBW, Auburn sign the ‘Path to Plains’ MOU agreement originally appeared on The AndalusiaStar-News.
