TRAVERSE CITY — Three Northwestern Michigan College employees will be honored next week with a statewide award for their work with Michigan Technological University to develop a new 2+2 degree program designed to increase student completion and reduce cost for engineering students.

Faculty members Jerry Dobek and Jay Smith and advisor Deb Maison will receive the MACRAO 2019 Innovation in Transfer Award at the organization’s annual conference, to be held at Shanty Creek Resort Nov. 20-21. MACRAO, the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, works to contribute to the advancement of higher education in the state of Michigan by collaborating on issues of common interest to Michigan’s colleges and universities.

NMC President Timothy J. Nelson and Michigan Tech President Richard J. Koubek signed the seven new articulation agreements in August, and all went into effect this fall. Engineering students are now able to take their first two years at NMC then transfer to Michigan Tech as a junior.

The engineering programs include:

  • Biomedical
  • Chemical
  • Civil
  • Electrical
  • Mechanical
  • Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Electrical Engineering Technology

Dobek, Smith and Maison worked on the agreements for 18 months, building on a strong shared history of collaboration. The first 2+2 program between the schools was created in 1990. This new set of agreements reflects how engineering programs have changed over the years and how graduation requirements have become more specialized.

Dobek said, “This agreement creates a new pipeline for engineering students more likely to complete their 4-year degree at Michigan Tech and provides cost savings for students by allowing them to take their first two years at NMC. These agreements will really give our students a much stronger pathway to success.”

Release date: November 14, 2019

For more information:

Diana Fairbanks
Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
dfairbanks@nmc.edu
(231) 995-1019

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