Agreement offers seamless transfer to Shepherd University program

LFCC’s vice president of academic and student affairs Kim Blosser and Shepherd University Assistant Provost for Academic Community Outreach Virginia Hicks

Kim Blosser, LFCC’s vice president of academic and student affairs, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Shepherd University Assistant Provost for Academic Community Outreach Virginia Hicks allowing LFCC graduates in the associate of science program to seamlessly transfer into Shepherd’s bachelor’s of science in chemistry program.

“We developed a pathway where they will accept all of our credits to transfer right into a bachelor’s degree in chemistry,” says Brandon Shaw, dean of science, engineering, math and health at LFCC. “With this, we know that our students won’t lose even one credit when transferring to Shepherd University.”

LFCC chemistry professors Sam Dillender and Ernest Grisdale worked hard on the joint venture, which will also see transfer students enjoy a significant discount on tuition.

“This is a win-win for our students, LFCC, and Shepherd University,” professors Dillender and Grisdale say in a joint statement. “It allows our students to continue their education at a school offering the same class size, experience, and caring faculty as LFCC. Shepherd University also has excellent research opportunities for chemistry majors, and is close enough that our students can either commute or live on campus. In addition, with the articulation agreement satisfied, Shepherd University will accept up to 72 credits, and can offer a minimum of a 25-percent tuition discount.”

Shepherd University, located in Shepherdstown, W.Va., has already had good experiences with LFCC graduate transfers, according to Hicks.

“This is so exciting, our first 2+2 (two years for an associate degree and two years for a bachelor’s degree) agreement with Lord Fairfax Community College,” she says. “We have examined Lord Fairfax’s associate of science programs and we are impressed.

“The professors and administrators from both universities worked hard together to make this happen.”