SIDNEY — Officials from Alma College and Montcalm Community College (MCC) this month signed an agreement that will make it easier for students to work toward their goal of receiving a bachelor’s degree.

As part of this agreement, students earning an associate’s degree from MCC will follow a collaborative Transfer Guide, allowing them to transfer all credits toward a bachelor’s degree at Alma College without duplicative study.

MCC advisors will assist MCC students with transferring to Alma, while Alma will waive certain requirements of transfer students that are ordinarily required for undergraduates.

“We are grateful to Montcalm Community College for their partnership in this effort and proud of the work it took to get us here,” said Timothy Pinnow, chief operating officer/senior vice president for strategic initiatives at Alma College. “This is another example of how Alma College seeks to be service-oriented toward the needs of our region, and make ourselves available, so that students here can reach their educational goals.”

MCC Interim President Connie Stewart said Montcalm is excited to partner with Alma College to help students achieve their dreams of college completion.

“Partnerships like this are critical for our students as many of them do want to transfer after they’ve attended MCC,” Stewart said. “Articulation agreements give students a great advantage to acquire needed credentials by offering a seamless process for them as they move through the educational system from one institution to another. It is important to us that students not lose time or credits in the transition, and this agreement will assure that the transfer goes smoothly.”

Alma College Registrar Mariah Orzolek said the articulation agreement with Montcalm is “the most fully integrated 2+2 plan” in the college’s history.

“We are pleased to have this agreement in place, which will make it easier for students from Montcalm Community College to earn a bachelor’s degree in a cost-effective and timely manner. We look forward to our continued partnership with MCC and hope to add even more transfer agreements in the future,” Orzolek said.

To graduate from Alma College, students who follow an attached Transfer Guide must also:

  • Complete a minimum of 52 credits in residence at Alma College.
  • Complete a minimum of 136 credits between Montcalm Community College and Alma College.
  • Complete the remaining program requirements, core curriculum requirements, and other major and degree requirements listed in the Alma College catalog.

For more information, visit alma.edu/transfer, call the Admissions Office at (800) 321-ALMA or email admissions@alma.edu.