Baylor And McLennan Sign Commitment For New Transfer Program

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Contact: Lori Fogleman, (254) 710-6275 and Lisa Wilhelmi, (254) 299-8640

WACO, Texas (Sept. 16, 2013) -- Representatives from McLennan Community College and Baylor University announced today the creation of a formal transfer program known as Baylor Bound.
Baylor President Ken Starr and McLennan President Dr. Johnette McKown signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a three-year pilot program to help students transfer more easily between the two institutions. Baylor Bound will allow the schools to identify students who are interested in enrolling at Baylor in order to provide McLennan student support and Baylor advising guidance throughout the transfer process.
"Our commitment to the students of McLennan County is to help create clear and smooth pathways to careers and to higher education institutions for advanced degrees," McKown said. "Baylor's partnership is critical to making this happen since many of our students desire to be part of the Baylor nation. Our Board of Trustees and I value this relationship and look forward to the doors it will open for our students."
"It is an honor to celebrate with President McKown today the new Baylor Bound McLennan program," Starr said. "This program deepens the relationship between Baylor University and McLennan in providing greater access to our institutions for students across Central Texas and the world. I am proud of the collaborative spirit that brought administration, faculty and staff from both campuses together to create a program that works to meet the rising demand for high quality education in our community."
Baylor Bound is a selective program open to highly motivated students who enroll full-time initially at McLennan and want to follow a four-year degree plan resulting in an approved bachelor's degree from Baylor and who want to be part of a special cohort with unique Baylor benefits. Recruiting for this program will begin this fall in area high schools and at McLennan for the program which will begin fall 2014. Interested students will indicate their interest in joining Baylor Bound by completing a membership application.
Students accepted into the program will apply to Baylor when they are ready to transfer and will be admitted to Baylor if they have earned at least a cumulative 2.5 GPA.
Most students in Baylor Bound will take classes for one year at McLennan and three years at Baylor. However, some students may be approved to take two years at McLennan and two at Baylor, depending on the student's major and number of transfer credit hours.
While at McLennan, Baylor Bound students will have expanded opportunities to learn more about Baylor, such as meeting with counselors, attending events on Baylor's campus and registering early for their first semester. Students will also have access to Baylor's libraries.

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 MCLENNAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

McLennan Community College provides access to excellent workforce and transfer programs, student services, and continuing education that promotes student success including proficiency in identified student learning outcomes, successful course completion, graduation, employment, and transfer to a senior institution. The college engages and strengthens its community through successful educational attainment, strong leadership, sustainability efforts, best practices, community service, and integrity. Visit McLennan online at www.mclennan.edu.