Northwestern Michigan College and Grand Valley State University partner for Direct Connect program
Direct Connect allows students to be concurrently enrolled at NMC and GVSU beginning in their third semester to pursue a bachelor degree while remaining in Traverse City, Michigan.
Northwestern Michigan College and Grand Valley State University have partnered for their Direct Connect transfer program that will give students at Northwestern Michigan College who are pursuing healthcare the opportunity to earn a bachelor degree from Grand Valley State University while remaining in Traverse City. The program gives students the ability to begin their bachelor degree studies while maintaining the cost of Northwestern Michigan College tuition.
According to an article on Northwestern Michigan College’s website, Shannon Owen, who serves as the Director of the Northern Region for Grand Valley State University, was quoted as saying of Direct Connect, “It is a pioneering initiative in the region that creates a clear, streamlined pathway for NMC students to continue their education at GVSU. We believe this program will help remove barriers in the transfer process and accelerate students' entry into the workforce.”
The Direct Connect program was established in response to the growing need for qualified healthcare workers in Michigan. The program will guarantee admission to Grand Valley State University’s Allied Health Sciences bachelor degree program for eligible Northwestern Michigan College students. The program also guarantees the transferring and application of the student’s earned credits from Northwestern Michigan College to the bachelor degree program at Grand Valley State University, saving students money in the long run.
“They’re earning the first half of their bachelor’s degree at an NMC price,” said Lindsey Dickinson, the Director of Student Success & Retention at Northwestern Michigan College.
The student will be enrolled at both Northwestern Michigan College and Grand Valley State University for their third semester to begin working on their bachelor degree curriculum, though students will remain in Traverse City.
As most healthcare jobs require bachelor degrees, transferring to a four-year institution is inevitable for most Northwestern Michigan College students who want to work as a physical therapist or a physician’s assistant, for example, though students may not realize that is an option for them.
“Students don’t always understand the transfer process. We want them to know right from the start that they can go to Grand Valley,” said Katie Sommer-Ford, an advisor with Northwestern Michigan College.
Northwestern Michigan College plans to continue expanding its Direct Connect program by partnering with other institutions including Ferris State University and Central Michigan University.
For more information about Northwestern Michigan College, visit the school’s website.