Mars Hill University President Dr. Tony Floyd and Southwestern Community College President Dr. Don Tomas signed an agreement, creating the Mountain Lion-Southwestern Promise during an event at SCC’s campus in Sylva.

The program provides a streamlined process for Southwestern’s associate degree graduates to enroll at MHU. It’s designed to help students navigate the intricacies of admissions criteria, determine which community college credits will transfer to the four-year institution, fulfill general education requirements and address other potential issues that may arise when transferring.

The Mountain Lion-Southwestern Promise gives SCC students access to information about academic programs faculty and staff at MHU who will facilitate their transition to the university. They will be able to receive admission, financial aid, registration and orientation communications early in the transition process, which will set them up for maximum success at both institutions.

“This partnership expands our students’ opportunities to pursue higher education,” said Dr. Tomas. “We’re pleased to offer this pathway that makes it easier for our students to transfer their credit to a respected regional university like Mars Hill.”

SCC students will need to maintain a 2.0 grade point average, earn an associate degree in a college transfer program or in an applied program for which there is an articulation agreement with MHU, and enroll at MHU within one academic year after receiving their associate degree.

Students interested in the Mountain Lion-Southwestern Promise may contact Kristan Blanton, Director of Enrollment Management at SCC at [email protected] or 828.339.4255, or Carolyn Kuzell, Associate Director of Admission at MHU at [email protected] or 828.689.1589.

Source: Southwestern Community College