Paul Smith’s College Named as Higher Education Center Partner, Brings B.S. in Hotel and Tourism Program to Watertown
On Wednesday, December 2, representatives from Jefferson Community College (JCC) and Paul Smith’s College formally signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) making Paul Smith’s College the first official partner institution in Jefferson Community College’s Higher Education Center initiative.
The Higher Education Center initiative aims to provide increased access to bachelors, masters and professional certifications for residents in the North Country region. Designed to be an adult-centered learning environment, the Higher Education Center will offer, in addition to the advanced degree programs, continuing education, workforce training, and meeting space. Higher Education Center partners will provide collaborative educational offerings that will benefit the region’s workforce and economic development.
Paul Smith’s College will offer a bachelor of science degree in Hotel, Resort and Tourism Management (HRTM) on the Jefferson campus. Designed to meet the needs of working adults, students enrolled in the program will meet for a four-hour session one evening per week as well as communicate regularly with instructors and classmates online. Only upper-level courses will be offered in Watertown by Paul Smith’s; interested students can transfer applicable credits already earned through college and work experience and apply them toward the HRTM degree. Students in Jefferson’s hospitality and tourism A.A.S. degree program who graduate with a concentration in hotel and restaurant management will enjoy seamless transfer to the HRTM baccalaureate program.
The HRTM bachelor’s degree can be completed in two years of study, including one summer semester, and will be granted by Paul Smith’s College. Students enrolled in this program are considered full-time and are eligible for financial aid. Paul Smith’s officials are currently enrolling students and plan to launch the program beginning in the Spring 2010 semester. Prospective students are encouraged to contact Paul Smith’s College directly at 800-421-2605 with questions about the program and to apply.
“We’re excited to work with Jefferson Community College on this program, which will put a bachelor’s degree within the reach of students who might otherwise not have been able to complete their academic goals,” said John W. Mills, Ph.D., president of Paul Smith’s College. “At Paul Smith’s, our tradition of experiential education is proven and we are excited that more students will get the opportunity to see what it can mean to them.”
“This is another great example of collaboration between colleges to meet the academic and workforce development needs of the region,” said Edward J. Knapp, vice president for academic affairs at Jefferson. “This is the first Jefferson articulation agreement that brings a bachelor’s degree program in tourism within reach of the local community.”
With the Higher Education Center partnership agreement, Paul Smith’s College will have a physical presence on Jefferson’s campus in Watertown including faculty teaching in classrooms and a program advisor with scheduled office hours in the Higher Education Center. In the coming months, additional academic institutions are expected to sign MOUs and become Higher Education Center partners offering classes, degrees, and integrated academic support services in Watertown.
“Jefferson currently has numerous agreements with four-year institutions that facilitate seamless transfer from Jefferson to bachelor-level programs at colleges and universities across the country. Some of those agreements even provide the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree on Jefferson’s campus (SUNY Potsdam—B.S. in Business Administration or SUNY IT—B.S. in Nursing are examples) or online,” said Craig D. Johnson, Ed.D., vice president for community engagement at Jefferson. “However, the Higher Education Center initiative will provide an even more comprehensive and integrated academic pathway to expand educational opportunities to those in the North Country. Of course, the ultimate goal is to provide bachelors, masters and professional certification programs that are requested by our community and that will benefit local workforce and economic development.”
For the next five years, Jefferson’s Higher Education Center will be located in the modular building on campus, where the Small Business Development Center is housed. Long-range plans include the construction of a more comprehensive and community-oriented Higher Education Center on campus.
“Our strategic planning process identified the need to develop integrated and innovative partnerships that would bring even more bachelor’s and master’s degree programs to the area,” said Carole A. McCoy, D.P.A., president of Jefferson Community College. “I am thrilled that we have achieved these important first steps to partner with Paul Smith’s College and other institutions and to provide a space on campus where academic services and support to students can be seamless. Based upon partner interest, I anticipate we will soon outgrow the modular building and I look forward to advancing our facilities master plan and building a new Jefferson Community College Higher Education Center on campus.”
The modular building is currently undergoing renovations to accommodate Higher Education Center partner needs and will officially open in early 2010. The Small Business Development Center remains open during the renovations. Plans for a grand opening of the interim Higher Education Center are under way, with details to be announced in the coming weeks.
For additional information about the hotel, resort and tourism management degree program, please contact Paul Smith’s College at 800-421-2605. For information about the Jefferson Community College Higher Education Center, please contact Craig D. Johnson, vice president for community engagement at Jefferson Community College, 315-786-6566.
Paul Smith’s College is a 910-student institution located in the Adirondack Park of New York State. The college’s programs, in fields including hospitality, culinary arts, forestry, natural resources, entrepreneurship and the sciences, draw on industries and resources important to the region while preparing students for successful careers anywhere.
One of 30 community colleges supervised by the State University of New York, Jefferson Community College is the community’s leading resource for leading better lives, offering 30+ Associate degrees for career preparation or for transfer to a 4-year college; certificate programs; online learning; lifelong learning through personal enrichment workshops; business and industry training; and cultural enrichment opportunities for the entire Watertown/Fort Drum region.
Front row (left to right): Dr. John W. Mills, Paul Smith’s College President and Dr. Carole A. McCoy, Jefferson Community College President
Back row (left to right): Dr. Craig D. Johnson, Vice President for Community Engagement at JCC; Ernest K. Wilson, Hotel, Resort and Culinary Management Division Dean at Paul Smith’s College; Vicki B. Quigley, Dean for Business at JCC; Edward J. Knapp, Vice President for Academic Affairs at JCC; Dr. Richard Nelson, Provost at Paul Smith’s College; and Kathleen J. Herd, Accelerated Career Experience Program Leader and Assistant Professor/Internship Director at Paul Smith’s College