Baylor University and Amarillo College Announce Partnership on New ‘Baylor Bound’ Transfer Agreement

May 16, 2017

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

Media contact: Kevin Ball, Amarillo College, (806) 371-5225WACO, Texas (May 16, 2017) – Baylor University and Amarillo 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 Amarillo College President Russell Lowery-Hart, Ph.D., signed the partnership agreement during a ceremony at Amarillo College’s Union Building.

In alignment with one of its goals under the Pro Futuris strategic initiative, Baylor created 10 Baylor Bound partnerships within five years. The Baylor-Amarillo agreement is the 11th 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 Midland, San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Tarrant County College in Ft. Worth, and South Texas College in McAllen.

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

“Amarillo College offers clear transfer pathways for all students. This agreement with Baylor University extends our ability to help Amarillo students,” President Lowery-Hart said. “This alliance is significant because its goal is to ensure a seamless transfer between two institutions with a shared commitment to student success. We could not be more pleased by this opportunity to reinforce our commitment to helping all students transfer to a university and particularly to cement our relationship and streamline our processes with Baylor.”

“As we celebrate our 11th Baylor Bound agreement and exceeding our goal of 10 agreements in five years, we are deeply appreciative of the opportunity to partner with high-quality institutions such as Amarillo College. It is through these strong Baylor Bound collaborations that we are able to expand educational opportunities for students in Texas,” President Garland said. “Amarillo College Baylor Bound students will have access to Baylor’s outstanding academic programs, impressive faculty and opportunities for leadership and service at Baylor, in the Waco community and the world. We look forward to welcoming Amarillo College students into the Baylor Family.”

Students may declare their intent to transfer to Baylor by submitting the Baylor Bound application prior to enrolling at Amarillo College or while enrolled as a full-time student. Admission to the program will be determined by Baylor’s Baylor’s Undergraduate Admissions.

Students at Amarillo 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 Amarillo College is available here.

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 Amarillo College to full-time status at Baylor. Amarillo College Baylor Bound students also will receive information about scholarships for transfer students and special transfer residential experiences. Also, students from Amarillo 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 Amarillo 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 Baylor regent Linda Brian, B.A. (Elementary Education) ’69, Howard Batson, Ph.D., (Biblical Studies, Religion) ’95, former chair of the Baylor Board of Regents and senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Amarillo, as well as Presidents Garland and Lowery-Hart.

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 AMARILLO COLLEGE

Boilerplate Amarillo College is a public Community College dedicated to providing educational, cultural and community services that enhance the quality of life for the diverse population in its West Texas service area. Established in 1929 with 86 students answering the inaugural roll call, Amarillo College today is a vibrant, multi-faceted College that typically enrolls more than 10,000 students in academic classes at six campuses and an outreach center. Amarillo College provides students with a solid academic foundation, whether they are looking to immediately enter the workforce or proceed to a university.