Baylor University and South Texas College Announce Partnership on New ‘Baylor Bound’ Transfer Agreement
Agreement will help students transfer more easily between the two institutions
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Media contact: Tonya B. Lewis, Baylor University, 254-710-4656, tonya_lewis@baylor.edu
Media contact: Ray Pedraza, South Texas College, 956-655-6395, rpedraz2@southtexascollege.edu
WACO, Texas (Oct. 24, 2016) – Baylor University and South Texas College today announced the creation of a formal Baylor Bound transfer agreement that will help students transfer more easily between the two institutions and continue to expand educational opportunities for young people all across Texas.
Baylor University Interim President David E. Garland, Ph.D., and South Texas College President Shirley A. Reed, Ed.D., signed the partnership agreement during a ceremony at South Texas College’s Pecan Campus.
In alignment with one of its goals under the Pro Futuris strategic initiative, Baylor created 10 Baylor Bound partnerships within five years. The Baylor-South Texas agreement is the 10th partnership, along with McLennan Community College in Waco, Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Blinn College in Brenham, Collin College in McKinney, Temple College in Temple, Alamo Colleges in San Antonio, Midland College in Odessa, San Jacinto College in Pasadena and Tarrant County College in Ft. Worth.
The Baylor Bound program will serve highly motivated students from South Texas College who, upon meeting the program’s criteria, will transfer to Baylor to complete their baccalaureate degrees.
“This agreement ushers in a beneficial working relationship to meet the educational needs of the students of the Valley,” said President Reed. “This agreement with Baylor creates a seamless pathway that will allow South Texas College students to move from an Associate Degree to a Bachelor’s degree as efficiently as possible.”
“As we celebrate our 10th Baylor Bound agreement and reaching this institutional milestone, we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to partner with high-quality institutions such as South Texas College. It is through these strong Baylor Bound collaborations that we are able to expand educational opportunities for students in Texas,” President Garland said. “South Texas College Baylor Bound students will have access to Baylor’s outstanding academic programs and impressive faculty and opportunities for leadership and service at Baylor, in the Waco community and the world. We look forward to welcoming South Texas College students into the Baylor Family as they continue their educational journey and graduate as proud Baylor Bears.”
Students may declare their intent to transfer to Baylor by submitting the Baylor Bound application prior to enrolling at South Texas College or while enrolled as a full-time student. Admission to the program will be determined by Baylor’s Office of Admission Services.
Students at South Texas College who become part of the Baylor Bound program can choose a plan from 66 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 South Texas College is available at https://www.baylor.edu/transfersuccess/index.php?id=953063.
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.
Advisers from both institutions will help students select courses that satisfy program requirements to allow for a successful transition from South Texas College to full-time status at Baylor. South Texas College Baylor Bound students also will receive information about scholarships for transfer students and special transfer residential experiences. Also, students from South Texas College will have access to Baylor’s libraries via the Interlibrary Loan Agreement as well as special opportunities to visit the Baylor campus and meet with Baylor representatives.
Baylor and South Texas officials, along with alumni, friends and special guests from across the region, gathered at a reception following the signing to celebrate the historic partnership between the two institutions. Speakers included city of McAllen mayor and Baylor alumnus Jim Darling, B.A. (Psychology) ’75, J.D. ’77, as well as Presidents Garland and Reed.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 16,000 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 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.
ABOUT SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE
Founded in 1993, South Texas College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and offers 119 degree & certificate options, including associate degrees in a variety of art, science, technology and allied health fields of study. South Texas College is also among only three community colleges in the State of Texas accredited to offer bachelor degrees.
More than 34,000 students attend STC, and a faculty and staff of more than 1,600 serve STC’s five state-of-the-art campuses, two teaching centers and one virtual campus.
South Texas College currently has more than 60 articulation agreements in place with colleges across the nation. STC also has one of the largest dual enrollment programs in the state and nation partnering with 24 school districts and over 78 high school sites throughout Hidalgo & Starr counties.