SOU, KCC Partner to Increase Degree Completions

(Ashland, Ore.) — Officials from Southern Oregon University and Klamath Community College have signed an agreement that is designed to increase the rate of students transferring from KCC to SOU and result in more associate and bachelor’s degree completions at the two institutions in coming years.
The memorandum of understanding, which was signed by SOU President Roy Saigo and KCC President Roberto Gutierrez during a signing ceremony at KCC on May 15, promotes seamless transfer with no loss of credits for KCC students who follow articulated pathways to SOU.
It also allows for concurrent enrollment, whereby students can be admitted to and actively enrolled in courses at both institutions simultaneously.
“This agreement provides pathways for us to better serve students and better serve our state and region,” said Dr. Saigo. “By adding KCC to our list of partner institutions, more southern Oregonians will have an opportunity to pursue a bachelor’s degree at SOU and we come one step closer to achieving the state’s ambitious 40-40-20 goals.”

Devised by former Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber and adopted by the Oregon Legislature, 40-40-20 calls for 40 percent of Oregonians to have a baccalaureate degree or higher, 40 percent to have an associate degree or professional certification, and for the remaining 20 percent to have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent by 2025.
“This new partnership creates opportunities for our students to pursue further education at SOU in a number of articulated programs,” Dr. Gutierrez said. “We are also working on a reverse transfer option that would allow KCC students who transfer to SOU prior to completing their associate degree to be awarded that degree once required courses are completed at SOU. This is very exciting for our students and our community.”
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About Southern Oregon University
Southern Oregon University provides outstanding student experiences, valued degrees, and successful graduates. SOU is known for excellence in faculty, intellectual creativity and rigor, quality and innovation in connected learning programs, and the educational benefits of its unique geographic location. SOU was the first university in Oregon—and one of the first in the nation—to offset 100 percent of its energy use with clean, renewable power, and it is the first university in the nation to balance 100% of its water consumption. Visit sou.edu.