BLUE MOUNTAIN – Higher education in North Mississippi got another boost recently when Itawamba Community College and Blue Mountain College signed an articulation agreement that will enable students to transfer credits more easily.

Under the agreement, BMC will accept 64 hours of “General Education Core” work – “provided the transferring student earns a grade of ‘C’ or above – toward the completion of a four-year degree.”

“This agreement reflects the commitment of a public community college and a private four-year institution to work together on behalf of the students we serve,” said Blue Mountain president Dr. Bettye Rogers Coward.

“Blue Mountain College values the relationship that both institutions have developed over the years and looks forward to even greater collaboration with regard to educational programs and services in the future.”

ICC president Dr. David Cole agreed that higher education throughout the region would benefit from the partnership

“This is red-letter day for us,” Cole said. “We’ve had this agreement with state universities for some time now, but to be able to partner with a private institution with the reputation and history of Blue Mountain is something special.

“We’ve always been good friends and this will just strengthen our relationship and improve the quality of education throughout our region.”

Dr. Sharon Enzor, vice-president for academic affairs at BMC, noted the agreement would benefit many departments at both colleges.

“Not only will this ease the process for students,” she said, “but it will make it a lot easier on both schools’ admissions offices and recruiters, on the registrar offices and on academic advisors. It just a good thing all across the board.”