RADFORD -- Radford University and Virginia Western Community College signed an articulation agreement Monday that will allow VWCC students who have earned an associate of science degree in computer science to complete a baccalaureate degree at RU.

The two schools also signed updates to a 2005 agreement that provides a similar pathway to VWCC students who have earned an associate of applied science degree in Information Systems Technology to complete a baccalaureate degree in any of the information technology programs offered at RU.

"Our partnering with Virginia Western Community College clears another path toward making education at Radford University more accessible to more deserving Virginia students," RU President Penelope W. Kyle said. "We look forward to continuing our work with Virginia Western to facilitate the transfer of their graduates to Radford University.”

(IN THE PHOTO: Virginia Western Community College president Dr. Robert Sandel and RU President Penelope W. Kyle.)

The agreement comes just months before RU's College of Information Science and Technology begins offering distance completion in two of its seven undergraduate programs this fall. Students who complete an articulated associates degree may enter the university's IT programs on the RU campus or at one of several remote sites around the Commonwealth, including the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, the Roanoke Higher Education Center and at two additional yet to be determined sites.

In 2001, RU signed its first IT articulation agreement with New River Community College.  Following the first agreement with NRCC, additional agreements were signed with Virginia Western, Patrick Henry Community College and Piedmont Virginia Community College. 

In the last three years, additional agreements have been completed with Lord Fairfax, Northern Virginia, Danville, Blue Ridge, Mountain Empire, Thomas Nelson and Virginia Highlands community colleges. More than 100 students have transferred into RU's College of Information Science and Technology under these agreements in the past five years.

RU has also developed articulation agreements with numerous schools for the Associate of Science program in computer science. These agreements have been completed with Blue Ridge, Northern Virginia and Virginia Western community colleges.

In addition to the IT articulation agreements, RU is finalizing agreements with New River Community College in media studies (marketing/graphic design) and with Virginia Western in medical technology.

RU also is working with the VCCS to develop and provide professional development pathways for faculty. Over the past five years, the university has managed and hosted the Mid-Atlantic Working Connections Conference. This faculty development conference for community college IT faculty provides both graduate and non-credit educational opportunities.

In addition, RU provides a graduate certificate in information technology designed for faculty that have the required master's degree but lack the 18 graduate hours in information technology, and a master's of science in education with a concentration in information technology for faculty that need both the master's degree and the 18 graduate hours in information technology.