New partnership will allow students graduating from Kishwaukee College to seamlessly transfer into WGU’s online undergraduate programs; WGU will also offer scholarships for students.
To help provide an affordable pathway for students of Kishwaukee College to earn their bachelor’s degrees, Western Governors University (WGU) and Kishwaukee College today announced the two institutions have entered into a joint partnership. Under the terms of the agreement, students who have completed an associate degree at Kishwaukee College and are interested in transferring to WGU to earn a bachelor’s degree in business, IT, K-12 teacher education or health professions — including nursing — will be able to seamlessly transfer their credits to WGU. Additionally, new Kishwaukee College students enrolling in WGU will be eligible to apply for the university’s Community College Partnership Scholarships, valued at up to $2,500 each.
The Community College Partnership Scholarship is open to graduates and staff of Kishwaukee College and will be applied toward WGU’s already-low flat-rate tuition of about $3,500 per six-month term. Recipients will receive a $625 tuition credit each term, renewable for up to four terms based on academic performance.
“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with WGU to provide a seamless transition for our students from Kish choosing to transfer into WGU’s fully online bachelor’s degree program,” comments Dr. Joanne Kantner, Chief Academic Officer at Kishwaukee College.
WGU, a fully online, nonprofit university, offers Kishwaukee College students a competency-based approach to learning. This method allows students to take advantage of their knowledge and previous experience to quickly move through material they already know so they can focus on what they still need to learn. Students complete their programs by studying on schedules that fit their lives, advancing as soon as they demonstrate they have mastered subject matter. WGU faculty members work one-on-one with students as mentors, offering guidance, support and individualized instruction. While WGU’s degree programs are rigorous and challenging, competency-based learning makes it possible for students to accelerate their progress and graduate faster, saving both time and money.
“We are excited to partner with Kishwaukee College and offer the institution’s graduates and employees flexible, personalized learning pathways to high-workforce need undergraduate and graduate degree programs that will allow them to continue to further their education and advance their careers,” said Dr. Angie Besendorfer, Regional Vice President of Western Governors University. “Both WGU and Kishwaukee are committed to providing greater educational opportunities to students interested in advancing their careers, and this partnership will help further that mission.”
For more information about the partnership, visit www.wgu.edu/ilcc.
About WGU — Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, online, nonprofit WGU now serves more than 131,000 students nationwide and has more than 217,000 graduates. Driving innovation as the nation’s leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In just 24 years, the university has become a leading influence in the development of innovative workforce-focused approaches to education. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at www.wgu.edu.
About Kishwaukee College — Since first opening its doors in 1968, Kishwaukee College has remained a cornerstone of the communities it serves. With a mission to improve lives through quality, affordable education, Kish offers an ever-increasing variety of programs and services to meet the educational needs of district residents and businesss in DeKalb, Sycamore, Rochelle and surrounding communities. The College offers academic degrees for students seeking a transfer to a university, occupational degrees for those wanting a skilled career, preparation for students wanting to earn their GED, and English classes for non-native speakers. For more information visit www.kish.edu.