College, Technology Centers Form Alliance For Area Students
(Press Release 10-12-07)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

High school students and adults will be able to receive college credit for courses taken at a technology center and apply that credit toward a college degree officials at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton say.

“Eastern has had cooperative agreements with Kiamichi Technology Centers for many years, but has not worked the program at the level we will be doing this fall,” Eastern President Dr. Steve Smith said.

“It’s our goal to sign up students on every campus in the district,” he said. “We worked with the Kiamichi campuses in McAlester and Poteau as pilot programs this spring to help our staff develop internal procedures for processing students.

“We are excited about the opportunity that this presents to Kiamichi students and the partnerships we will be developing with each technology center campus. This is an opportunity for technology students to earn college credit and continue their education after the completion of their Kiamichi program,” he said.

Cooperative Alliance Agreements allow high school and adult students to receive college credit for courses taken at a technology center and apply that credit toward an Associate in Applied Science degree at Eastern.

Technology center officials feel this program will give their student an edge when they apply for employment and a jump on a college education.

“I believe that the 32 hours of college credit that our students can potentially earn from Eastern will open doors for those who take advantage of the program,” Cooperative Alliance Counselor at the McAlester Kiamichi Technology Center, Shelly Hallum said.

“Some of our students could possibly graduate from college with an associate in applied science degree before they graduate from high school,” she said.

While there is an $8 per-credit-hour fee for allowed classes, students will pay no tuition for these credit hours. High school students who receive free or reduced lunches or participate in a TRIO program will have their fee waived, but adults will be required to use financial aid or pay out of pocket.

Program agreements exist in air conditioning and heating, automotive service technology, computer-aided drafting, construction technology, early care and education, health career certification, machine technology, welding technology and computer technology.

Eastern Alliance Coordinator Carli Lay says the program will save on college expenses and avoid course duplication from high school to college. The program will also shorten the time needed to earn a college degree and make the transition easier from high school to college.

To enter the program high school students should enroll in a technology center program with a cooperative alliance agreement and be a junior or senior. They need to present an ACT score of 19 or ACT PLAN score of 15 or high school GPA of 2.5 and provide a statement of understanding form from a parent or guardian.

Adult students simply need to enroll in a technology center program with a cooperative alliance agreement and submit a special application form.

Lay says adults should check with the financial aid representative at their technology center to see if the qualify for assistance.

“An associate degree will enhance opportunities when applying for a job,” Lay said. “Employers will first look at hiring individuals with credentials beyond a high school diploma,” she said.

Cooperative Alliance Program Agreements exist between Kiamichi Technology Centers in Atoka, Durant, Hugo, Idabel, McAlester, Poteau, Spiro, Stigler and Talihina.

For additional information contact Carli Lay, Alliance Coordinator, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Wilburton, 918.465.1810 or clay@eosc.edu.