Lincoln University announced Friday it has reached a "new agreement that will bring continued educational opportunities for community college graduates from the state of California."
The agreement is part of the HBCU Transfer Guarantee Project between the California Community Colleges Board of Governors and nine of the nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), including LU.
It means students earning an associate's degree from one of California's 112 community colleges will transfer seamlessly to Lincoln or one of the other eight HBCUs.
Under the agreement, students who earn an associate's degree with a grade-point average of 2.5 or higher - and complete one of two general education requirement programs for the state of California - will be granted admission as a junior at Lincoln University, with in-state tuition rates.
LU's news release said campus officials call the program a necessity when it comes to providing increased opportunities to students.
"In today's global market, education is a valuable asset for both the employee and employers. Earning power increases with every level of degree earned," said LU President Kevin Rome. "We are ready to welcome the students who will come to Missouri from the California community colleges as part of this project, and we look forward to their matriculation into Lincoln University alumni."
Said Sewell, LU's Provost and Academic Affairs vice president, said ambition is the foundation of this partnership.
"As Lincoln University of Missouri continues on its quest for distinction, the HBCU Transfer Guarantee Project is another opportunity for our institution to not only strengthen the caliber of our students and to strategically grow our enrollment, but to leave our footprint on higher education," Sewell said.
The HBCU Transfer Guarantee Project means a quicker path to earning a bachelor's degree for the California participants.
Currently, 2.1 million students are enrolled in that state's community college system. Even with their associates' degrees, those graduates must compete for slots at seven state institutions which already are at, or near, enrollment capacity.
George E. Cooper, executive director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, said in the news release, "California community college students and the nine participating schools will benefit immensely from the agreement.
"The schools will have an even larger pool of gifted students knocking on their doors and California community college students will be guaranteed transfer to four-year institutions with rich histories, traditions and track records of success."
LU is the only public institution included in the agreement.
The other eight, private schools are: Bennett College (Greensboro, North Carolina); Dillard University (New Orleans); Fisk University (Nashville, Tennessee); Philander Smith College (Little Rock, Arkansas); Stillman College (Tuscaloosa, Alabama); Talladega College (Talladega, Alabama); Tuskegee University (Tuskegee, Alabama), and Wiley College (Marshall, Texas).