Lyon, UACCB renew cooperative agreement
October 3, 2005
Lyon College and the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville today announced a renewal of the cooperative agreement that allows students in the Independence County/Batesville area an opportunity to pursue their baccalaureate education at an affordable price without leaving the area.
“When Lyon and UACCB joined together to create the College Opportunity Program about seven years ago, we hoped that it would capture the imagination of UACCB students while providing Lyon students with curricular options,” said Lyon President Walter Roettger. “It has succeeded beyond our expectations. We’ve seen a steady growth in the number of students electing this educational path.”
To date, fourteen transfers from UACCB have received their bachelor’s degree from Lyon. Another six are scheduled to complete their requirements this spring.
“We’ve witnessed some real success stories,” said Roettger. “The College Opportunity Program has worked well for Lyon, well for the community, and, I think, well for UACCB.”
Dr. Anthony Kinkel, chancellor of UACCB, agreed. "Lyon College has been extremely generous with the support they are offering UACCB transfer students. Dr. Roettger's interest in the success of our students shows phenomenal commitment to ensuring the best and the brightest are able to stay in the area."
The College Opportunity Program also allows students at UACCB or Lyon to take one course per semester at the other institution.
The College Opportunity Program offers a broad range of support services to students from UACCB who are interested in securing a bachelor’s degree. Representatives from Lyon and UACCB work together to facilitate the transfer process, working with interested students to ensure that they take the appropriate course. Thanks to this close cooperation, qualified students are able to begin their studies at UACCB, transfer to Lyon, and receive a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree from Lyon, usually within a total of four years of full-time study.
A key part of the program is scholarship support. Lyon makes available to qualified students scholarships that range up to $8,500 a year for transfers who live on Lyon’s campus and up to $5,000 a year for those who choose to live at home and commute. The exact amount of the award varies depending upon academic performance at UACCB. The transfer scholarship along with the federal and state financial aid programs can underwrite a significant portion of the cost of attendance for participating students.
Applications to the College Opportunity Program are evaluated jointly by Lyon and UACCB admissions personnel who then assist prospective students in appropriate course selection and preparation. Both Kinkel and Roettger believe that this process strengthens the partnership between the institutions.
“We work well together,” said Roettger. “Our cooperation on this important program has also led to other ventures and has helped us both to better serve Batesville and Independence County.”
UACCB students may become a part of the College Opportunity Program by applying to the program before enrolling at UACCB or by joining after beginning their studies at UACCB at anytime prior to transferring to Lyon. UACCB students who apply to the program are assigned academic advisers at Lyon and UACCB who assist them in making informed decisions so the eventual transfer is as smooth as possible.
Students who complete at least 45 semester credit hours of college-level work at UACCB with a grade-point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (as calculated by Lyon for admission purposes) and who have the recommendation of the Dean of Academic Affairs at UACCB are assured of scholarship support at Lyon. Students attending UACCB as part of the program are eligible for all financial aid ordinarily available to UACCB students.
Another important part of this collaborative effort is an exchange program that allows UACCB students to take courses at Lyon and Lyon students to take courses at UACCB. Students pay tuition at their home college for courses taken at the host college.
Students may obtain a copy of the College Opportunity Program transfer brochure in the admissions offices of either Lyon or UACCB, or by calling the Lyon admission office at (870) 698-4250, or UACCB at (870) 793-7581.