New Lake State, Sault College partnership opens door for area business students

NEWS RELEASE
LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY
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SAULT STE. MARIE, MICH. - Lake Superior State University (LSSU) and Sault College have engaged in a new and exciting partnership that offers Sault College business students another opportunity to earn both a diploma and degree in only four years. Through this pathway agreement, students who obtain their business diploma through Sault College can now roll their earned credits into a business administration baccalaureate degree from LSSU. Officials from both schools signed this new two-plus-two pathway transfer agreement June 5 on the LSSU campus.

This agreement provides an array of choices for Sault College business students allowing them to also earn minors in accounting, economics, marketing, international business, or human resources management along with their baccalaureate degree.

“This new pathway agreement offers our business students a tremendous opportunity to build and expand upon the knowledge and practical skills gained while studying at Sault College,” said David Orazietti, dean, Aviation, Trades and Technology, Natural Environment and Business, Sault College. “Within a four-year period, students will be able to earn both a diploma and degree, which offers them diversity in their educational training and a breadth of skills to prepare them for the workforce.”

“We see this as a brain gain initiative for this region,” said interim LSSU provost David Roland Finley, who was on hand to ink the agreement. “If they go to southern Ontario or southern Michigan they are not as likely to return.”

“Not many border communities have a college and a university in the same geographical area,” added Colin Kirkwood, vice president, Academic and Research, Sault College. “We have a unique opportunity to engage in a collaboration that will greatly benefit our students. We are pleased to partner with LSSU and look forward to developing additional diploma and degree pathways for our students.”

LSSU President Rodney Hanley rounded out comments by placing this agreement into context with others that could follow.

“When we look at our colleagues to the north and we see opportunities to have an outstanding regional educational environment,” said Hanley. “We form these partnerships and collaboration because at the end of the day what we do for our students is what really matters the most… educate and retain them here in a unique international community.”

Sault College students who want to take advantage of this new two-plus-two agreement should contact Sault College’s Registrar’s office.

For more information about LSSU, please contact the LSSU Marketing and Communications Department at 906-635-2315 or visit here.

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