Central Methodist University and Mineral Area College (MAC) recently marked their 30th anniversary as educational partners. The two schools made history in 1989 when they established the “2+2” program for community college students who wanted to pursue a bachelor’s degree, the first such partnership in the state of Missouri. Since then, 2,500 students have completed degrees at CMU’s Park Hills campus.
MAC President Joe Gilgour and CMU President Roger Drake met on February 13 to celebrate the 30-year milestone and update the articulation agreement between the two schools. The agreement ensures that MAC students will continue to easily transfer to CMU for bachelor’s degree completion.
CMU has offered fully accredited degree completion programs on the campus of Mineral Area College in Park Hills since the partnership began in 1989. Staff of Central Methodist University, including CMU Regional Site Coordinator Jeff Williams, are available on-site to help students enroll in classes and to provide information about courses and degree programs.
CMU classes at MAC are primarily designed for students who have already completed a two-year college degree, or degree at the associate’s level, and who wish to complete requirements for a baccalaureate, or four-year, college degree.
Dr. Rita Gulstad, CMU provost, credits former Mineral Area College President Dr. Dixie A. Kohn and former Central Methodist College (now Central Methodist University) President Dr. Joe A. Howell with having the vision 30 years ago to initiate the partnership that would provide new educational opportunities to advance the workforce and benefit the region.
“We continue to graduate students every year and everyone goes back and adds something to their community, to their school district, to their business,” said Gulstad. “It’s because of this partnership and the vision that we've been able to provide this, and I think, enrich the lives of so many.”
Since the CMU-MAC inception, other community colleges in the state have formed partnerships with private and public, four-year colleges and universities, but Mineral Area College’s partnership with CMU was a first. Park Hills is one of almost 20 locations with CMU partner schools in the College of Graduate and Extended Studies.