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Top 14 of 2014: Breaking down barriers to bachelor’s degrees

December 21, 2014
NIU President Doug Baker (left) and College of Lake County President Girard W. Weber sign an innovative reverse transfer agreement.

NIU President Doug Baker (left) and College of Lake County President Girard W. Weber sign an innovative reverse transfer agreement.

As 2014 draws to a close, NIU Today offers a look back at 14 of the top stories from the year.

No. 10

NIU signed innovative reverse transfer agreements in 2014 with Kishwaukee College, Rock Valley College and the College of Lake County.

The agreements allow eligible NIU students who transferred without associate’s degrees to earn their two-year degrees using credit from NIU courses.

“Postsecondary education is a powerful force for career advancement, and a skilled workforce helps the region maintain its competitive advantage,” NIU President Doug Baker said. “This partnership directly benefits students and positions them for career success, increasing opportunity by breaking down barriers to provide a seamless process to receive credit for work they’ve completed toward an associate’s degree.”

Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, a strong proponent of increasing the proportion of working-age adults with college degrees who touted NIU’s reverse articulation program in her College Completion Playbook released late last year, presided over the signing ceremony with Kish.

“College pays off,” Simon said. “When students leave college with credits – but no credential – they are less prepared for the workforce and leave lifetimes of earnings on the table. This reverse transfer agreement is a student-centered reform that should be implemented at campuses across the state.”