UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

UT Tyler Celebrates Partnership with Northeast Texas Community College

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September 1, 2016

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

Northeast Texas Community College and The University of Texas at Tyler Longview University Center celebrated a new partnership Wednesday at the Industrial Technology Training Center (ITTC) in Mount Pleasant. A new 2+2 articulation agreement allows students who complete an Associate of Applied Science degree in Industrial Technology at NTCC to transfer smoothly into UT Tyler's Industrial Technology bachelor's degree program.

The presidents of both institutions were in attendance to celebrate the partnership and officially sign the articulation agreement.

"We are very pleased to partner with the UT Tyler Industrial Technology program. The agreement provides our students with a clear pathway to a bachelor's degree in a high-demand field for this region," Dr. Brad Johnson, NTCC President, said. "One of the great things about our Industrial Technology program is that students can go to work in as little as one year or continue their education on to the baccalaureate level and beyond."

The ITTC in Mount Pleasant opened in 2011 as a partnership between NTCC, the Mount Pleasant Economic Development Corporation and Mount Pleasant ISD. The facility is designed to meet the evolving training needs of area employers. The center is utilized by more than 200 high school and college students each week. More than 80 students have received degrees or certificates from the program since it began.

"We welcome this opportunity to partner with Northeast Texas Community College in a venture that will help provide East Texas industries with highly skilled workers," said UT Tyler President Rodney H. Mabry. "To meet employer demand for graduates with these skills, we have recently added an industrial technology program at our Longview campus. Campus Director Van Patterson has done an excellent job of identifying the need in this region and building the partnerships and programs necessary to meet that need."

"Our industrial technology program is one of only two accredited by the Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering in the state of Texas. Employers understand the value of an ATMAE accredited program, and as a result our graduates are receiving numerous job offers," Mabry added.

A bachelor's degree from the UT Tyler Industrial Technology program prepares students for a wide variety of management-oriented technical professions. Nearly 100 percent of graduates find jobs in their field immediately following graduation or move on to graduate school.

"This is an excellent opportunity for our students who want to take their education to the next level. UT Tyler has an outstanding Industrial Technology program and we are excited about providing our graduates with a seamless way to transition into this four-year program," Dr. Kevin Rose, NTCC Associate Vice President for Workforce Development, said.

"This partnership is a great benefit for students and the East Texas region in general," added Dr. Mark Miller, UT Tyler professor and chair for the Department of Technology. "Students can become core complete and finish their associate degrees at NTCC prior to enrolling in courses offered at UT Tyler and UT Tyler's Longview campus. Industrial Technology majors at UT Tyler, with their educational experience in automation and business, can allow local companies to stay globally competitive and create even more jobs in East Texas."

To learn more about Industrial Technology training at the ITTC, contact Lynda Watson at 903.434.8145 or visit ntcc.edu/industrialtech. Additional information about the UT Tyler Industrial Technology BS degree program can be found at uttyler.edu/luc or by calling 903.663.8102.

One of the 14 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 8,500 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.

New Partnership: From left - Dr. Kevin Rose, associate vice president for workforce development; Dr. Brad Johnson, NTCC President; Dr. Rod Mabry, UT Tyler President; and Dr. Mark Miller, professor and technology department chair celebrate a partnership for a 2+2 articulation agreement allowing students who graduate with an associate's degree from NTCC to smoothy transfer to UT Tyler and receive a bachelor of science degree in industrial technology from the university.