Adams State University and Trinidad State College sign ten transfer agreements

Strengthening ties to better serve students in the San Luis Valley

Article Courtesy of Trinidad State College

On Wednesday afternoon, July 31, Adams State University President David Tandberg, Ph.D., and Trinidad State College President Rhonda Epper, Ph.D., took a bold step in solidifying ten new transfer agreements that will allow students to seamlessly transfer from Trinidad State into bachelor’s degree programs at Adams State. These agreements have been over a year in the making. Drs. Tandberg and Epper noted that Adams State and Trinidad State are committed to improving transfer for students.

Trinidad State is a two-year institution with campuses in Trinidad and Alamosa (Valley campus), that offers general arts and science associate’s degrees, applied career and technical degrees and select applied bachelor’s degrees. The Valley Campus offers primarily career and technical programs. Adams State holds both a two-year and four-year mission, and also offers graduate programs in select disciplines. Both institutions are vital resources for the citizens of the San Luis Valley. The two institutions, together, provide an avenue to social mobility, better paying jobs, and educational opportunities.

The agreements were initiated through a year-long series of workshops sponsored by the Aspen Institute’s Community College Excellence Program and the American Association of State College & Universities. Trinidad State and Adams State staff attended these workshops together, which culminated in a Strategic Transfer Excellence Plan, and ultimately, these ten agreements.

President Epper said: “Many of our students are first-generation students whose families have no knowledge or understanding of how higher education works. These new transfer pathways make it possible for students to get a solid footing at Trinidad State, then reach higher to earn a bachelor’s degree at Adams State.”

President Tandberg added: “These transfer degree plans allow us to guide students through their higher education journey and into meaningful careers.”

Both institutions will provide supportive “wrap-around” services, both academic and financial, to ensure students are able to successfully transfer and complete their programs. The ten agreements include:

1. Trinidad State Associate of Arts in Communications to Adams State Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media Studies
2. Trinidad State Associate of Arts in Exercise Science to Adams State Kinesiology: Sport and Exercise Studies
3. Trinidad State Associate of Arts in Exercise Science to Adams State Kinesiology: Sport and Recreation Management
4. Trinidad State Associate of Applied Science in Law Enforcement to Adams State Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration: General Business
5. Trinidad State Associate of Applied Science in Law Enforcement to Adams State Bachelor of Arts in Sociology: Criminology
6. Trinidad State Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting to Adams State Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration: General Business
7. Trinidad State Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting to Adams State Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Healthcare Administration
8. Trinidad State Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting to Adams State Bachelor of Arts in Public Health
9. Trinidad State Associate of Arts in Theatre to Adams State Bachelor of Arts in Theatre
10. Trinidad State Associate of Applied Science in Technical Theater to Adams State Bachelor of Arts in Theatre