Breadcrumb
Direct Connect Provides Seamless, Affordable Pathway to Degrees at UCM and Jefferson College
By Nicole Lyons, December 5, 2024
University of Central Missouri President Roger Best and Jefferson College President
Dena McCaffery sign academic program agreements as
part of the JC+UCM Direct Connect partnership.
The University of Central Missouri (UCM) and Jefferson College (JC) have partnered to provide students with a seamless, affordable pathway from an associate degree to a bachelor’s degree.
JC+UCM Direct Connect is a concurrent enrollment agreement that allows students to enjoy a four-year education
experience at the University of Central Missouri while attending . Officials from both institutions gathered on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at Jefferson College
in Hillsboro to sign the agreement.
“Jefferson College’s focus on student success is certainly something that resonates
with us,” UCM President Roger Best said. “Student success is number one in your strategic
plan and it’s one of your values. UCM just had a successful Higher Learning Commission
visit in the spring, and one of their final comments was, ‘You are who you say you
are – you're all about student success.’ So to know that you’re focused on student
success at Jefferson College was something we found very appealing.”
“I think I'm seeing that both sides are very visionary in how we take care of students
and make sure we can get them to the finish line,” JC President Dena McCaffery added.
“This new transfer agreement, and it coming together quickly, definitely shows that.”
UCM Direct Connect is open to students who meet Missouri residency requirements. To
participate in the program, students must typically enroll full-time (minimum 12 credit
hours per semester) with courses exclusively at JC or at both UCM and JC. Courses
taken at UCM will apply toward the major the student intends to pursue once admitted
as a degree-seeking UCM student.
“Direct Connect is a concurrent enrollment agreement that will help Jefferson College
students take courses at the same time at UCM and reduce credit loss after earning
an associate's degree at Jefferson College,” said Tim Crowley, UCM provost and vice
president for Academic Affairs. “We look forward to building a strong relationship
with Jefferson College and reducing obstacles for students who desire a four-year
degree. Transfer students comprise nearly 45% of our incoming enrollment each year
and this master agreement and its affiliated program articulation agreements advance
our strategic imperative to become a regional transfer hub.”
In addition to the main Direct Connect agreement, UCM and JC have established seven
academic program pathways and several more are in progress.
“This agreement is exciting, and I think all of the behind-the-scenes details are
important but not as important as the pathways and opportunities it provides for our
students,” said Chris DeGeare, JC vice president of Academic Affairs. “Along with
deciding to work together, we decided to start some articulation pathways at the same
time.”
JC+UCM Direct Connect helps facilitate credit transfer and student record sharing
between JC and UCM. It also includes benefits for students, such as a Direct Connect
scholarship, lowering the time and cost of a four-year degree, and providing student
use of services at each institution.
JC students can strengthen their college experience with access to student services
on both campuses, including UCM’s Career and Life Design Center, Writing Center and
Learning Commons with free tutoring, library, dining facilities, Student Recreation
and Wellness Center, sporting events and entertainment and cultural events, plus the
option to live in the residence halls. They will also be assigned an advisor at JC
and a success advisor at UCM to help them stay on track toward degree completion.
Program participants are eligible to seek financial aid to help pay for the cost of
their education. Upon graduation from JC, students can also earn a $1,500 Direct Connect
scholarship.
The newly signed agreement makes JC the third institution to partner with the UCM
Direct Connect program.
For more information, visit ucmo.edu/directconnect or contact the UCM Office of Admissions at 660-543-4290 or transfer@ucmo.edu.
From left, University of Central Missouri (UCM) Provost and Vice President for Academic
Affairs Tim Crowley, UCM President Roger Best,
Jefferson College (JC) President Dena McCaffery and JC Vice President of Academic
Affairs Chris DeGeare.