Baylor University and Tyler Junior College Announce Partnership on New ‘Baylor Bound’ Transfer Program

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Contacts: Lori Fogleman, 254-710-6275, and Fred Peters, TJC, 903-279-7278

TYLER, Texas (June 18, 2014) – Baylor University and Tyler Junior College today announced the creation of a formal Baylor Bound program that will help students transfer more easily between the two institutions and continue to expand educational opportunities for young people all across Texas.

TJC President L. Michael Metke and Baylor President and Chancellor Ken Starr signed the partnership agreement during a ceremony in the board room of TJC's White Administrative Services Building.

As one of its goals under the Pro Futuris strategic initiative, Baylor intends to create 10 Baylor Bound partnerships with strong Texas community colleges over the next five years. The University signed its first Baylor Bound agreement last fall with McLennan Community College in Waco.

Beginning in fall 2015, the Baylor Bound program will serve highly motivated Tyler Junior College students who, upon meeting the program's criteria, will transfer to Baylor toward the goal of completing their undergraduate degree.

"Across our country, it seems as though the door of opportunity is closing for our young people, as the cost of a quality education rises," Metke said. "Partnerships such as Baylor Bound provide seamless transfer and open the door for joint scholarship opportunities as well, making a quality education affordable for those students who work hard."

"As a nation, we depend on a strong system of higher education to prepare students for success in an increasingly global economy. For many, a community college can be the preferred access point for a college education and an important first step to economic mobility," Starr said. "While Baylor has long welcomed transfer students from Tyler Junior College, we desire to strengthen this relationship by establishing a formal transfer agreement that will ensure a smooth transition to Baylor for these wonderful students. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with TJC to make possible this vitally important agreement, and we look forward to welcoming to Baylor more TJC students who wish to take advantage of our academic programs and the transformative student experience that is the cornerstone of a Baylor education."

Students may declare their intent to transfer to Baylor by submitting the Baylor Bound application prior to enrolling at TJC or while enrolled as a full-time student. Admission to the program will be determined by Baylor's Office of Admissions Services.

TJC students who become part of the Baylor Bound program can choose a plan from 65 distinct majors, all of which are articulated through specific MAPS – or Major Academic Planners – that will assist them as they move toward timely degree completion. More information about these majors and course transfer equivalency between Baylor and TJC is available at: https://www.baylor.edu/advising/bbmaps.

Most students in Baylor Bound will take classes for one year at TJC and three years at Baylor. However, some students may be approved to take two years at TJC and two at Baylor, depending on the student's major and number of transfer credit hours.

Students must be enrolled in an approved A.A. or A.S. academic program leading to an approved Baylor B.B.A., B.A., B.S.W. or B.S. degree and refer to Baylor's Major Academic Planner when planning coursework.

TJC Baylor Bound students will belong to a special cohort with unique Baylor benefits. Advisors from both institutions will help students select courses that satisfy program requirements to allow for a successful transition from TJC to full-time status at Baylor. TJC Baylor Bound students also will receive information about scholarships for transfer students and special transfer residential experiences, special mailings and scheduled visits with Baylor representatives and access to Baylor's libraries.

Baylor and TJC officials, along with several alumni, friends and special guests from the Tyler area, gathered earlier in the day for a luncheon at Willow Brook Country Club to celebrate the historic partnership between the two institutions. Speakers included Dr. Paul W. Powell of Tyler, Dean Emeritus of Baylor's George W. Truett Theological Seminary, former Baylor Regent and former pastor of Tyler's Green Acres Baptist Church; Starr; Metke; and Baylor senior Taylor Griffin, who graduated magna cum laude from TJC before transferring to Baylor on a scholarship to study journalism.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having "high research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The University provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.

ABOUT TYLER JUNIOR COLLEGE

Tyler Junior College was established in 1926 with a mission of providing the finest academic education for freshmen and sophomore students. Tyler Junior College remains committed to that goal while also recognizing the changing role of community colleges and the need to provide quality training for technical fields. Tyler Junior College has been fulfilling three promises to its students and the Tyler area by providing a quality education, a vibrant student life and service to the community. Along with its superb academic programs, Tyler Junior College boasts a 90-acre, tree-lined Main campus, nationally ranked men's and women's intercollegiate athletic programs, and a broad array of student organizations. For the business community, TJC's Regional Training and Development Complex provides specialized training according to the needs of business, industry and governmental agencies. The College's new Robert M. Rogers Nursing and Health Sciences Center will open in January 2015 as the largest single TJC structure.