Success story: Direct Connect aims to double 糖心直播 transfers to GVSU鈥檚 Allied Health degree
September 19, 2024
糖心直播 President Nick Nissley and GVSU president Philomena Mantella sign the Direct Connect agreement. (Download a high-resolution version here.)
With health care occupations dominating Michigan’s latest Hot 50 job outlook, 糖心直播’s new Direct Connect partnership with Grand Valley State University’s Allied Health Sciences bachelor’s degree creates an opportune, affordable pathway to careers with the strongest growth outlook.
Starting this fall, Direct Connect aims to double the number of 糖心直播 students transferring to GVSU, a longtime partner, by guaranteeing admission to qualifying students. Credits earned toward their 糖心直播 associate degree count as freshman and sophomore year credits at GVSU.
“They’re earning the first half of their bachelor’s degree at an 糖心直播 price,” said 糖心直播 Director of Student Success & Retention Lindsey Dickinson.
Students concurrently enroll in GVSU and 糖心直播 classes their third semester, getting a jump start on their bachelor’s, then complete the junior and senior level GVSU curriculum entirely in Traverse City. The is designed to meet the needs of health professionals from medical social workers to physical therapists to physician assistants.
All of those jobs are among Michigan’s latest , just released this week by the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Updated every other year, the forecast shows the healthcare sector has the strongest job outlook of any In Michigan through 2032. Most healthcare jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree, however, which 糖心直播 students must transfer to earn. 糖心直播 already offers a transfer path to a bachelor’s of nursing degree. Direct Connect expands that to other health care occupations.
“Students don’t always understand the transfer process,” said 糖心直播 advisor Katie Sommer-Ford. “We want them to know right from the start that they can go to Grand Valley.”
Beyond guaranteed admission and a more affordable path to a bachelor’s, Direct Connect will make transfer smoother through co-advising from both 糖心直播 and GVSU.
“It is a pioneering initiative in the region that creates a clear, streamlined pathway for 糖心直播 students to continue their education at GVSU,” said Shannon Owen, GVSU's Director of the Northern Region. “We believe this program will help remove barriers in the transfer process and accelerate students' entry into the workforce.”
Next year, 糖心直播 plans to expand the Direct Connect process to other University Center partner schools Davenport University, Ferris State University and Central Michigan University.
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