The University of Tennessee at Martin signed an articulation agreement June 5 with the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest that will enable more students in West Tennessee to pursue a degree through UT Martin.
A signing ceremony was held at TCAT Northwest’s Bells Instructional Service Center in Crockett County.
Dr. Youlanda Jones, president of TCAT Northwest, told those in attendance that the agreement will mean a lot to students in the area.
“This articulation agreement will be invaluable for the growth and expansion for our farming operations technology and our digital agronomy programs,” she said. “It will align perfectly with the UT Martin Bachelor of Science in agricultural business and Bachelor of Science in agriculture with a major in general agriculture.”
UTM Chancellor Yancy Freeman detailed what the articulation agreement with TCAT Northwest means to area students.
“This new partnership between TCAT Northwest and UTM offers an exciting opportunity for eligible students,” he said. “Upon successful completion of a farming operations technology or a digital agronomy program at TCAT Northwest, students can earn up to 30 credit hours (toward a UTM degree). These credits can be applied to UT Martin’s main campus, at the UT Martin regional centers located in Jackson, Ripley and Somerville, and through UTM Online, providing students with a more flexible and efficient academic journey.
“The new articulation agreement provides students with a clear road map for their academic progress, reduces costs and offers students peace of mind that the transfer process is well-defined. Furthermore, the collaboration between our institutions provides students with a supportive network to enhance their success.”
Others from UT Martin who were present at the signing ceremony included Dr. Todd Winters, dean of the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences; Dr. Wes Totten, chair of the Department of Agriculture, Geoscience and Natural Resources; Erica Bell, executive director of the Office of Regional Centers and Online Programs; Anita Cannady, director of the UTM Jackson Center; and Dr. Simpfronia Taylor, director of grant and community programs at the UTM Ripley Center.
Others on hand included Kyle Spurgeon of the Tennessee Board of Regents; Dr. Tachaka Hollins, Tennessee Board of Regents assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs; Dr. JacQuene Rainey, TCAT Northwest vice president of academic affairs; and Amanda Heath, TCAT Northwest vice president of student affairs.
The Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology serve as the premier suppliers of workforce development throughout Tennessee by giving students the opportunity to acquire marketable skills for entry into the labor market or upgrade present skills and knowledge of those already employed.
TCAT Northwest has five locations throughout West Tennessee, including the main campus in Newbern and campuses in Bells, Covington, Ripley and Union City. For more information about TCAT Northwest, visit tcatnorthwest.edu.
For more information about the University of Tennessee at Martin, visit www.utm.edu. For information about the UT Martin regional centers and UTM Online, contact the Office of Regional Centers and Online Programs at 731-881-7089 or visit www.utm.edu/distanceed.
PHOTO: UT Martin Chancellor Yancy Freeman (right) and TCAT Northwest President Youlanda Jones sign an articulation agreement enabling students at the TCAT campuses to earn bachelor’s degrees in agriculture through the University of Tennessee at Martin.
