Ithaca College’s School of Business has established a pipeline program to facilitate the transfer of SUNY Schenectady graduates into two of its degree programs. The agreement between the two colleges allows students who have earned associate’s degrees in accounting or business from SUNY Schenectady to transfer directly into bachelor’s degree programs in accounting or business administration at IC.
“We have always had a number of students transfer into the Ithaca College School of Business from area community colleges,” said Sean Reid, dean of the business school. “Often these are students who may not have had the financial means to attend a private college for the full four years, and getting started at a community college is a very effective way to reduce the overall cost of a four-year degree.”
The program will allow IC to welcome a more economically diverse population to its student body. “This partnership provides access to those students who may have otherwise not considered a degree from Ithaca College as financially viable,” said Reid. “This is a great example of President Shirley M. Collado’s commitment to being a ‘private school serving a public good.’”
The agreement formalizes an existing relationship between the two institutions and is the second such arrangement the School of Business has entered into with an area community college this year. The school signed a similar agreement with Tompkins Cortland Community College in May.
Students need to have graduated from either eligible degree program at SUNY Schenectady and have met a minimum GPA requirement to transfer. The School of Business worked with SUNY Schenectady to identify overlapping courses so that students will transfer seamlessly with junior standing.
IC’s accounting program has a long history of attracting talented transfer students. “They are likely to start careers in upstate New York,” said Marie Blouin, an associate professor and chair of IC’s Department of Accounting. “By forming this relationship we’re addressing a need for people who want to work in local communities. We see it as a win-win.”
A signing ceremony at SUNY Schenectady was held on March 14 to formalize the agreement.
“We’re a very student-centered college,” said Blouin. “I have lot of close relationships with my students. I encourage anybody thinking about coming to pick up the phone and call someone in the department.”