The April 4 signing of a memorandum of understanding between Metro State, the Colorado Community College System (CCCS), Front Range Community College (FRCC) and Community College of Aurora (CCA) formalizing the 2+2 Program was termed a “watershed moment for higher education in Colorado” by CCA President Linda Bowman.

The presidents sign the 2+2 MOU: ( l to r) FRCC’s Karen Reinertson, CCCS’s Nancy McCallin, Metro State’s Stephen Jordan and CCA’s Linda Bowman. Photo by Julie Strasheim

Bowman joined Metro State President Stephen Jordan, CCCS President Nancy McCallin and FRCC President Karen Reinertson at the signing ceremony, which was held on the FRCC Westminster Campus.

The 2+2 Program allows community college students to earn an associate’s degree and then complete a Metro State bachelor’s degree in selected programs, while physically remaining at their community college.

Jordan, who said that the partnership was an historic event for Colorado higher education, emphasized that the program will give the institutions a chance to expand upon the important work they’re already doing: educating--and graduating-- students of color in Colorado.

“Metro State enrolls more students of color than any other baccalaureate school in the state, with a quarter of the state’s baccalaureate students of color. And Front Range and Community College of Aurora combined educate nearly a quarter of the state’s community college students of color," Jordan said.

"Many of these students are working and raising families while trying to earn their degree; a significant number lacking a family history of experience with college. Our goal with the 2+2 program is to eliminate some of the barriers these students face," he continued. 

Jordan added that he hopes to ultimately have 2+2 Programs in place at all the community colleges across Colorado.

(l to r) CCCS President Nancy McCallin, FRCC student Fred Dedominicis and Metro State President Stephen Jordan. Photo by Julie Strasheim

Reinertson introduced Cheryl Barnes, chair of FRCC’s Department of Business and one of her students Frank DeDominicis. A first-year business student, DeDominicis said he will probably use the 2+2 Program to earn a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Metro State. DeDominicis has not attended college for 37 years and said he is finding the experience and opportunity incredible. Barnes added that she has found many of her business students to be very interested in the 2+2 Program. “The interest is there and we can help them when they’re just starting on their education path,” she said.

Metro State’s marketing and management degree programs are currently offered at FRCC. Degree programs in psychology and biology will begin at CCA in fall 2008.

For more information go to www.mscd.edu/twoplustwo.