NANTICOKE — Keystone College and Luzerne County Community College held a ceremony Wednesday to formally establish a new dual-admission partnership. Under the colleges’ agreement, students who begin their studies at LCCC will be able to continue working towards a four-year degree at Keystone.
“Through this dual-enrollment partnership, (LCCC) students will have yet another affordable and flexible pathway to continue their education,” Russ Bigus, the LCCC vice president of academic affairs said at the ceremony. “We are very excited about this partnership and what it means for our students and our communities and the opportunities it will create for the future.”
The ceremony, which was held at the LCCC main campus, featured LCCC and Keystone officials, as well as students benefiting from the transfer program and the colleges’ mascots — Keystone’s “K.C.” and LCCC’s “Blaze.”
LCCC President John Yudichak heralded the dual-admission agreement with Keystone, saying the partnership guarantees LCCC graduates admission into a Keystone bachelor’s degree program. These students will matriculate with credit for two years of study at LCCC, meaning they will begin their time at Keystone as third-year students (i.e. juniors).
Yudichak said the ability for students to transfer to Keystone from LCCC and be well prepared was a “testament to the quality of education at both colleges.”
“It is a living, breathing embodiment of the dedication of both colleges (to) bringing down the barriers of earning a college degree and empowering our students to succeed,” Yudichak said of the partnership. “Thank you for recognizing the value of every hard-earned credit a student earns at Luzerne County Community College on their way to Keystone College.”
Yudichak, speaking after the meeting, said the partnership connecting two affordable colleges would save students tens of thousands of dollars in tuition and related costs.
“It’s really exciting for students and their families,” Yudichak said. “These dual-admission agreements are so important to make sure we’re saving students time and money.”
Keystone President John F. Pullo Sr. said his college was “honored” to partner with LCCC and also called the agreement proof of the quality of an LCCC education, as well as LCCC’s commitment to innovative academic programs. He said the partnership helped Keystone further its mission of providing an affordable education to students in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
“This is a great day for both the colleges and a great day for affordable education,” Pullo said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for two great institutions to join forces and provide pathways for our students to continue their education, join the workforce, and become productive members of society.”
An LCCC news release issued Wednesday explains that the partnership helps formalize the relationship between the colleges. Students will now have a set “connected pathway” for matriculation from LCCC to Keystone, rather than needing to handle the transfer process by themselves.
Keystone mascot “K.C.,” right, and LCCC mascot “Blaze” at a ceremony marking the creation of a dual admission partnership between Keystone College and LCCC (CHRISTOPHER DOYLE/STAFF PHOTO)
LCCC President John Yudichak at a ceremony marking the creation of a dual admission partnership between Keystone College and LCCC (CHRISTOPHER DOYLE/STAFF PHOTO)
Keystone President John Pullo Sr. at a ceremony marking the creation of a dual admission partnership between Keystone College and LCCC (CHRISTOPHER DOYLE/STAFF PHOTO)
GiaNina Larson, who has transferred from LCCC to Keystone, at a ceremony marking the creation of a dual admission partnership between Keystone College and LCCC (CHRISTOPHER DOYLE/STAFF PHOTO)
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Keystone mascot “K.C.,” right, and LCCC mascot “Blaze” at a ceremony marking the creation of a dual admission partnership between Keystone College and LCCC (CHRISTOPHER DOYLE/STAFF PHOTO)
College officials have also touted how transfer students can enroll in Keystone’s expanding selection of online courses, offering students with family and professional commitments additional flexibility. These virtual courses cover a wide range of subjects, including accounting and business administration, criminal justice, early-childhood education, e-sports and gaming management, financial planning, and sports and recreation management. The LCCC news release notes the colleges plan to continue collaborating in the future and explore new ways to create new student opportunities.
GiaNina Larson, a student who has transferred from LCCC to Keystone, thanked her professors and advisors for guiding her throughout the process. Noting that her parents are Keystone alumni, Larson said she recalled visiting campus when she was young. She said she found both colleges extraordinarily welcoming and said she was excited to see them build on their partnership.
“Being able to go over to Keystone and talk to everyone, it was an amazing process and I felt very at home,” Larson said. “At both schools, there are so many amazing people that I’ve met along the way and it’s just been an amazing process and I’m so happy that they’re able to create this dual-admission experience.”