Administrators from Penn State University and Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) signed an articulation agreement to facilitate the transfer of LCCC students into 12 baccalaureate degree programs at 14 Penn State campuses, including Penn State Lehigh Valley, Penn State Hazleton, Penn State Schuylkill, Penn State Wilkes-Barre and Penn State Worthington Scranton.

The agreement is effective this fall and was announced by Dr. Ann Williams, chancellor at Penn State Lehigh Valley; Dr. Gary Lawler, chancellor at Penn State Hazleton; and Dr. Ann Bieber, president of LCCC, at an event June 8 at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

"Our institutions have a long-standing history of collaborating to provide access to high-quality academic opportunities for students in our shared service area. This articulation agreement will enhance that relationship and benefit students by streamlining the transfer process," said Williams.

Lawler said, "The articulation agreement was a natural step toward our mutual goal of providing an excellent education to students in our region and beyond. I'd particularly like to recognize the efforts of our directors of academic affairs, Dr. Elizabeth Wright, Dr. Kenneth Thigpen, and LCCC Transfer Counselor and Professor Virginia Mihalik, all of whom were instrumental in facilitating the articulation agreement."

"This agreement further broadens the opportunities LCCC students have when choosing to transfer to earn their bachelor's degree," said LCCC president Dr. Ann Bieber.

"All of the institutions have worked together to ensure that student success is a priority. Students can be assured they will have a seamless transition when they are making the decision to transfer," Bieber said.

Through the agreements, students who receive an associate degree will be provided an academic pathway to transfer into a parallel bachelor's degree program at the 14 campuses including Penn State Lehigh Valley, Penn State Hazleton, Penn State Schuylkill, Penn State Wilkes-Barre and Penn State Worthington Scranton. The coordination of transferable coursework, supported through academic advising, will support the successful transition for students.

John E. Morgan Foundation Trustee Scholarships are available for LCCC students to transition to Penn State Hazleton, with first preference going to advanced standing/transfer students who are graduates of high schools in Luzerne, Schuylkill, Lehigh and Carbon counties. Penn State Lehigh Valley and other Penn State campuses have a variety of scholarships available to community college transfer students.

When transferring to Penn State, LCCC students must apply for admission, submit required transcripts and meet Penn State's admissions requirements. Penn State application fees will be waived for LCCC students who apply for baccalaureate programs.

For information about academic and scholarship options, contact the admissions office at LCCC or at a Penn State campus.