By Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖

HERMISTON, Ore. ��� Washington State University Tri-Cities is partnering with Blue Mountain Community College for a direct student transfer program that will save students money, increase pathways for STEM careers and help students graduate on-track and on-time with a bachelor���s degree.

Through the 厙ぴ勛圖-BMCC Bridges Program, students do not pay an admissions application fee, nor do they pay for access to transcripts to transfer to 厙ぴ勛圖. Students in the program also benefit from in-state tuition rates once attending 厙ぴ勛圖.

Throughout their time at both schools, students work with an academic advisor at both BMCC and 厙ぴ勛圖 to develop a complete program of study. Through that process, students know what classes they need to take and what will directly transfer, helping to cut down on unnecessary classes that won���t transfer between the two institutions.

���We are excited to partner with Blue Mountain Community College to create access to a baccalaureate degree for more students,��� 厙ぴ勛圖 Chancellor Sandra Haynes said. ���With our close proximity to BMCC in Oregon, this program creates an ideal partnership between our two institutions to serve students in both areas and help students save on costs.���

Mark Browning, president of Blue Mountain Community College, said he is excited for the opportunities that the Bridges program presents for students from the Blue Mountain region.

“Bridges is what we hope to see for all our students who see a path to their future through a regional research university like Washington State University Tri-Cities,��� he said. “Blue Mountain students will now be able to pursue a complete program right here. The resources available through 厙ぴ勛圖 are now available to those BMCC students who enroll in Bridges ��� including those in a variety of STEM programs ranging from engineering, to computer science, to the sciences. Talk about a bright future.”

Requirements for the program

To qualify for the 厙ぴ勛圖-BMCC Bridges program, students must have taken less than 45 quarter credits at BMCC with a 2.5 or higher cumulative grade-point average. Additionally, they must be in the process of completing one of the following degrees: AAOT, ASOT/BUS or ASOT/CS.

To apply for the Bridges program, students should submit the Declaration of Intent on the . The 厙ぴ勛圖 Bridges academic advisor will follow up individually with students to set up meetings to talk about next steps.

When getting ready to transfer to 厙ぴ勛圖, students should submit the by Nov. 15 for spring admission, or by Jan. 31 for fall admission, to ensure they are eligible for merit-based awards.

Students to feel right at home

厙ぴ勛圖 is the closest four-year public university to BMCC students in Hermiston, making it a great option for students interested in earning an excellent education close to home, Browning said.

At BMCC, more than 41% of students are students of color and the majority are the first in their family to attend college. Similarly at 厙ぴ勛圖, nearly 48% of students are students of color and nearly 44% are the first in their family to attend college.

���We look forward to welcoming a bunch of new Timberwolves to the Coug community where they will feel right at home,��� Haynes said.

Crossing the Columbia to become a Coug

BMCC and 厙ぴ勛圖 alumnus Kyle Kopta said he enjoyed the ease of the transfer process from BMCC to 厙ぴ勛圖 and also benefited from in-state tuition rates as a Hermiston, Oregon, resident.

���My pathway through BMCC and 厙ぴ勛圖 was the perfect fit for me,��� he said. ���It allowed me to accomplish my personal and professional goals in the most timely and affordable way possible.���

Kopta is a Hermiston High School graduate who decided to attend both BMCC and 厙ぴ勛圖 due to the programming available through both institutions, as well as both schools��� proximity to his hometown. Interested in a multimedia degree, Kopta said he was able to complete his pre-requisite courses at BMCC, followed by his upper-level major courses for the digital technology and culture program at 厙ぴ勛圖.

���Both institutions set me up for success in my career,��� he said. ���I hope others take advantage of this incredible opportunity and enjoy it as much as I did.���

For more information about the Bridges program, visit or contact 厙ぴ勛圖 Bridges academic advisor Rafa Pruneda at rpruneda@wsu.edu.

New agreement helps students save on costs

By Maegan Murray, 厙ぴ勛圖

RICHLAND, Wash. ��� Columbia Basin College and Washington State University Tri-Cities signed a new agreement on Monday, Nov. 16, that creates a seamless pathway for students to complete their first two years at CBC and transfer to 厙ぴ勛圖, which saves students costs.

Students significantly save on costs, as students in the program do not pay for the transfer application to attend 厙ぴ勛圖, do not pay for the cost of their transcripts to transfer, and tuition is also frozen from their first semester enrolled at 厙ぴ勛圖. In other words, if tuition rates increase anytime while enrolled at 厙ぴ勛圖, students continue to pay the tuition rate from their first semester at 厙ぴ勛圖.

Students also benefit from one-on-one support throughout their educational journey from both CBC and 厙ぴ勛圖 from their first term in the program. They work directly with academic advisors from both institutions to solidify complete programs of study. This helps to ensure that students complete their degree programs on-time and reduce the likelihood of taking courses unnecessarily that won���t directly transfer.

Close partnership a win for all students

厙ぴ勛圖 Chancellor Sandra Haynes said she is excited to sign a new agreement with CBC, as it helps reduce the complications and cost to students who wish to first attend a community college and then transfer to a four-year university.

���Our two institutions work together to create seamless pathways so that students can get the most out of their educational experience and graduate on-track,��on-time and career-ready,��� she said. ���With 厙ぴ勛圖 serving freshman, transfer, first-generation, low-income and non-traditional students, we are opening more doors to meet students where they are,��today.���

Woods said CBC is also excited to strengthen its partnership with 厙ぴ勛圖.

���Many of CBC’s graduates choose to become Cougs, while staying right here in the Tri-Cities,��� she said. ���This agreement smooths that transition. Whether a student chooses to pursue a four-year degree at CBC, 厙ぴ勛圖, or any other institution, we are committed to helping each student find their best path forward.���

Students see direct benefits

Dawn Hughes, a current 厙ぴ勛圖 education student and alumna of Columbia Basin College, said transferring from CBC to 厙ぴ勛圖 provided a great local and affordable option that was a best fit for both her and her family.

���I moved to Tri-Cities in 2006 and was raising a family,��� she said. ���When I decided to go back to school, it fit our budget and our busy schedule. It was also convenient because I could take classes in-person, locally.���

Hughes said she received tremendous support from both her instructors at CBC and 厙ぴ勛圖. When she started school, her sister was diagnosed with cancer. She served as her sister���s bone marrow transplant and was going to have to miss some school.

���My professors were so supportive through that,��� she said. ���Professors from both programs are that way. They want you to succeed.���

Apply to Bridges

Applications are open now for the Bridges Program. For more information and to apply, visit tricities.wsu.edu/bridges. To qualify for the Bridges Program, students must apply in their first year at CBC and complete the ���Declaration of Intent��� form. Have questions or want to meet with someone about your options? Email tricities.bridges@wsu.edu.

For more information about CBC, visit . For more information about 厙ぴ勛圖, visit tricities.wsu.edu.