Lincoln Land, University of Illinois Springfield formalize a transfer admission agreement

Lincoln Land Community College President Charlotte Warren said an agreement formalizing a partnership with neighboring University of Illinois Springfield "just makes perfect sense."

The 10-year agreement signed Wednesday between Warren and new UIS Chancellor Janet Gooch in the Robert H. Stephens Room of Menard Hall on the LLCC campus guarantees LLCC students admission to the four-year university.

In addition to guaranteed admission, LLCC students transferring to UIS would be admitted as juniors and have admission application fees waived. Students would also be eligible for priority registration and for transfer merit scholarships based on their grade point averages.

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Enhanced coordination of academic advising and course selection will provide a smooth transition for LLCC students to UIS, Warren added.

The agreement allows UIS students to utilize transfer credits to complete associate degrees.

Warren said the two institutions have had a number of articulation agreements with specific programs but "what this (agreement) does is broaden that to all programs.

"This agreement is representative of our shared commitment to student success and to supporting students throughout their academic journey," she added.

While the agreement further strengthens the partnership between the two schools, "it also shows that UIS and LLCC continue to work collaboratively so students have a streamlined path to succeed in their educational and career goals," Gooch said. "Both institutions have strong reputations for building leaders and keeping them here in the community."

Because of the geographic proximity, "(LLCC) students know what to expect at UIS," Gooch added. "I think there's a certain level of comfort moving from one location in Springfield to another, which really empowers a lot of students."

Gooch officially took over as chancellor and vice president for the University of Illinois System on July 1 after being named to the positions on March 22. The U of I board of trustees formalized her appointment on May 19.

Gooch served in a number of different roles at Truman State University, and while there, she said the university had similar transfer agreements for students primarily with community colleges in the St. Louis and Kansas City areas and with Moberly Area Community College.

"I think transfer students add a unique element to campus," Gooch said after the signing ceremony. "They oftentimes bring other experiences to the classroom that traditional students can benefit from. Their life experiences, their work experiences are valuable to the whole learning process."

The fall semester at UIS begins Aug. 19.

"Things are looking good for us and agreements like this are going to be instrumental in helping us both achieve our goals, so I'm really positive about this event and this agreement," Gooch said.

The LLCC campus is seeing "larger numbers of students who are wanting to come back on campus to be able to have a part in campus life and the campus community," Warren said. "It's very quiet around here when students are mostly online. It'll be great for all of us and great to have their involvement.

Classes at LLCC begin Aug. 20.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Lincoln Land, University of Illinois Springfield ink new agreement