West Shore and Ferris sign agreement making transfers easier.

FSU President Dr. David Eisler (left) and WSCC President Scott Ward (right) sign articulation agreements which will facilitate a seamless transfer process for qualifying West Shore students to attend Ferris to pursue their bachelor’s degree. The signing took place in WSCC’s Center Stage Theater prior to a performance of “Little Shop of Horrors.”

West Shore and Ferris sign agreement making transfers easier.

VICTORY TWP. – West Shore Community College and Ferris State University have signed a partnership agreement enabling students who start their education at WSCC, with the intent to transfer to FSU, to hold a distinctive status with the university from the beginning.

The agreement, set to begin the fall semester of the 2019-2020 academic year, was signed on Thursday night, Feb. 28, by WSCC President Scott Ward and FSU President David Eisler in the Center Stage Theater on the WSCC campus.

“I’m excited about this new and unique partnership agreement. Each agreement we’re able to secure shows our students that universities in our state recognize and respect the work they’re doing at West Shore. We are committed to working together with our communities and other educational institutions to ensure students have the best possible pathway to success,” said Ward.

The partnership, called the FSU Connections Program, will provide WSCC students with academic advising and access to FSU libraries, recreational facilities and cultural, social and athletic events offered by the university. In addition, students will have multiple opportunities to participate in collaborative programming, transfer orientations, guest lectures by FSU faculty on the WSCC campus and joint advising and program referral services.

The FSU Connections Program will also provide a FSU student ID card entitling them to many privileges of enrollment including access to libraries, recreational facilities, athletic events, participation with student organizations, as well as access to cultural and social events offered by the university.

“What makes this program unique is the addition of multiple opportunities for visiting the FSU campus and participating in collaborative programming that will serve to establish early dual-institutional identification and facilitate the transfer process,” added Ward.

This means WSCC students will receive organized cohort-group orientations and tours at FSU in the first semester of study at WSCC, departments/majors orientations later in the second or third semester of study and transfer orientations in the final semester just prior to WSCC graduation.

“Ferris State University is delighted with the new Connections partnership with West Shore Community College,” stated Eisler. “Through this innovative relationship students can begin their college education at West Shore, be admitted to Ferris State University at the same time, and be prepared to seamlessly transfer to Ferris to earn their bachelor degree. I especially want to thank President Scott Ward. His innovative thinking and initiative helped make this program possible.”

Discussions will continue to offer additional pathways between the institutions.

Currently, FSU and WSCC have already established the following agreements and transfer guides:

• Seven program articulation agreements
• Over 50 bachelors transfer guides
• Five associate’s degree transfer guides
• Five degree completion programs offered at WSCC
• As well as an Institutional Partnership Agreement, Reverse Transfer Agreement and an Electronic Transcript Agreement

For more information about the FSU Connections Program, contact the WSCC Office of Student Services at 231-843-5946.