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Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College President Jeff Hale joined Pittsburg State University President Steve Scott earlier today to sign a reverse transfer agreement between the two institutions. The signing took place at 10:30 a.m. in the Regents Room of the Student Union at NEO’s campus. “A community college education is an important step toward a fulfilling life and career. At NEO, we have always encouraged our students to continue their education by pursuing a bachelor’s degree, and this reverse transfer agreement will allow them to do just that,” Hale said. “Gov. Fallin, Chancellor Johnson and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education have challenged Oklahoma’s colleges and universities to produce more college graduates. Through the cooperation of President Scott and Pittsburg State University, NEO A&M College will be able to award more college degrees as a result of the reverse transfer agreement signed today by both schools.”
A reverse transfer agreement is where students can transfer from four-year to two-year institutions of higher education. “Pittsburg State and NEO have a long history of cooperation,” Scott said. “That cooperation has one goal: to serve students. This reverse transfer agreement is another example of the ways our institutions work together for the benefit of students in the region.”
The reverse transfer agreement allows students who have transferred from NEO to PSU before completing their associate’s degree, to transfer hours they earned later at PSU back to NEO in order to receive their associate’s degree. “In terms of proximity to NEO, PSU is one of the closest four-year schools outside of Oklahoma. It only makes sense for these two institutions to form a close partnership to provide the best higher education opportunities for residents of northeastern Oklahoma,” said Dr. Bethene Fahnestock, vice president of academic affairs.
NEO A&M College has similar agreements with numerous colleges in Oklahoma, but this is the first with a college outside the state’s borders. “Pittsburg State has been a strong partner with NEO for many decades and today’s agreement not only strengthens that partnership, but it provides an opportunity for more Oklahomans to become college graduates,” Hale added. “Together, both institutions are making it an easier transition for students to obtain a degree in this area.”
