Baylor University and Alamo Colleges Announce Partnership on New ‘Baylor Bound’ Transfer Agreement

Agreement will help students transfer more easily between the two institutions

Contacts: Tonya Lewis, Baylor University, 254-710-4656 and Kay Hendricks, Alamo Colleges, 210-485-0049
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WACO, Texas (May 11, 2015) – Baylor University and Alamo Colleges 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.

Alamo Colleges Chancellor Bruce Leslie, Ph.D., the five Alamo Colleges’ presidents and Baylor President and Chancellor Ken Starr signed the partnership agreement during a ceremony in the Killen Center – Board Room at Alamo Colleges.

As one of its goals under the Pro Futuris strategic initiative, Baylor intends to create 10 Baylor Bound partnerships during the next five years. The Baylor-Alamo agreement is the sixth partnership, along with McLennan Community College in Waco, Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Blinn College in Brenham, Collin College in McKinney and Temple College in Temple.

The Baylor Bound program will serve highly motivated students from Alamo Colleges who, upon meeting the program’s criteria, will transfer to Baylor to complete their baccalaureate degrees.

“The majority of Alamo Colleges’ students continue their higher education by transferring to a university,” Leslie said. “Partnership agreements such as the one we are signing today ensure that students will be able to transfer seamlessly, and we are delighted to add one of the most highly respected institutions in the state to our roster of partner universities,” he added.

"The remarkably popular Baylor Bound program represents an affordable alternative for many community college students who wish to complete their degree studies at Baylor University. We are grateful to Alamo Colleges for entering into this collaborative partnership, which will expand educational access for students in Texas,” Starr said. “What’s more, this partnership is of personal significance to me as my own higher education experience began at San Antonio College. This collaboration will provide an opportunity for students to begin with a great education at Alamo Colleges before concluding degree studies at Baylor University.”

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

Students at Alamo Colleges 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 Alamo Colleges is available at www.baylor.edu/advising/bbmaps.

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 Alamo Colleges to full-time status at Baylor. Alamo Colleges Baylor Bound students also will receive information about scholarships for transfer students and special transfer residential experiences. Also, students from Alamo Colleges 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 Alamo Colleges 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 San Antonio Mayor Ivy R. Taylor, David P. McGee, chief executive officer and president of Amegy Bank in San Antonio, Starr and Leslie.

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 ALAMO COLLEGES

At the Alamo Colleges, high-quality education and low costs provide exceptional value to students and alumni who are major contributors to the economy and culture of our community. For more information, go to alamo.edu.