ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Two Upper Peninsula colleges are partnering to provide more opportunities for students studying to work with computers.
Bay College and Bay Mills Community College (BMCC), located in Brimley, have entered into two articulation agreements. The agreements will allow Bay College students who earn an associate’s degree in computer networking or programming to transfer to BMCC, where they can pursue a Computer Information Systems bachelor’s degree.
On Thursday, BMCC President Duane Bedell met with Dr. Laura Coleman, Bay College President, to sign the agreements.
“This is probably one of the first articulation agreements between a Michigan community college and a Tribal college,” said Bedell. “Students will be able to further their education, but also gain necessary, hands-on experience to be able to walk into a position once they graduate.”
According to Bedell, BMCC’s program prepares students with a “jack-of-all-trades” variety of skills. He says it allows graduates to have a wide range of careers to choose from.
Mark Highum, Dean of Business and Technology at Bay College, says both colleges are excited to expand the opportunities available to Tribal students throughout the region interested in computer networking and programming.
“We’re hoping we can increase support for our Tribal community here in Hannahville and at the casino,” Highum said. “Several of our graduates are actually working at the casino in IT departments, so this is going to be a wonderful opportunity for them to complete that Computer Information Systems bachelor’s degree online so they can still stay on the job.”
According to Bay College, this partnership is historic for students in the Upper Peninsula interested in computer information systems.
