CSU – Pueblo signs dual admissions agreements with five area community colleges
 
Pueblo- In an effort to provide a seamless transition from community colleges to a four-year institution, Colorado State University - Pueblo announces, “Destination CSU-Pueblo,” a program established by the signing of dual admissions agreements with five community colleges in Southern Colorado.
 
CSU-Pueblo President Ron Applbaum announced this week that five Colorado community colleges - Lamar Community College, Otero Junior College, Trinidad State Junior College, Pikes Peak Community College, and Pueblo Community College – have signed dual admissions agreements with the University. The program is the only one of its kind in the state.
 
Effective immediately, qualifying students who enroll at one of the five community colleges will gain automatic admission to CSU-Pueblo and will begin receiving advising services that will ensure a smooth transition to the University. Students who have not earned more than 30 semester credits of transferable coursework are eligible to participate. All transfer students must meet the minimum admission standards mandated by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education for CSU-Pueblo, and some selected majors have higher admission standards than those minimums.
 
Each partnering two-year institution will have a designated representative who will coordinate the Destination CSU-Pueblo program at their respective schools. CSU-Pueblo will visit the five partnering institutions frequently throughout the semester and invite faculty, staff, and students of the participating schools to the Pueblo campus. CSU-Pueblo also will establish a Transfer Center within the office of Admissions that will serve as a resource center for the personnel at the partnering two-year schools.
 
Student success was the driving force behind the program’s elements. CSU-Pueblo and the partnering institution will form a Dual Academic Advising Team for each student, consisting of the student, the student’s academic advisor at the two-year school, an academic advisor at CSU-Pueblo, and a member of CSU-Pueblo’s admissions/transfer staff. The team will agree on an individual transfer plan that is tailored to the students’ bachelor’s degree objectives, outlining timelines, graduation requirements, and transferable courses.
 
“Our goal is to enhance the transfer process of students by strengthening the partnerships between the schools,” Applbaum said. “We aim to create a transfer process from the partnering two-year institutions to CSU-Pueblo that is simple, seamless, and as user-friendly as possible.”
 
Participating students will receive financial benefits as well. The $25 application fee to CSU-Pueblo will be waived, and students will receive free access to the University’s library, recreational areas, and equipment. In addition, participating students will begin receiving electronic notification of academic, cultural, social, and athletic events held at CSU-Pueblo throughout the year.
 
Two-year college leaders welcome the opportunities that Destination CSU-Pueblo will bring their students.
 
“This is an important step in expanding options for students, the right step in a very positive directiuon,” said Lamar Community College President Bette Matkowski. “We all know that clear pathways between LCC and four-year colleges help students earn their degrees. I'm very happy we have this option available for LCC students.”
 
“Otero Junior College is pleased to be a part of this partnership with CSU-Pueblo. The partnership will be beneficial to students attending OJC who will be seeking a 4-year degree,” according to Jim Rizzuto, President, Otero Junior College. “CSU-Pueblo is to be complimented for their commitment to working with community colleges in the region.”
 
Applbaum said that this program also will make it easier for associate degree graduates to obtain a bachelor’s degree.
 
“We want students to be successful at the community colleges and to achieve their personal and professional goals by continuing their education with CSU-Pueblo,” he said.
 
     
Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.