Armstrong State University officials signed a memorandum of understanding with Ogeechee Technical College, located in Statesboro, Ga., on August 2, bridging the institution’s programs in Criminal Justice and Information Technology through a rigorous collection of major field courses.

Armstrong State University President Linda M. Bleicken and Ogeechee Technical College Acting President Lori Durden signed the memorandum in the lobby of Burnett Hall on the Armstrong campus. Armstrong Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Robert T. Smith and Ogeechee Technical College Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Charlene Lamar also attended the signing ceremony.

“This is how higher education should work,” said Ogeechee Technical College Acting President Lori Durden. “By breaking down this barrier, we’re creating a seamless transition for our students so that they don’t have to waste time or money.”

Armstrong is committed to honoring all of the courses students have taken at Ogeechee Technical College, which will allow them to enter a bachelor’s degree program at Armstrong with nearly half their course of study completed when they have earned their associate’s degree in Criminal Justice or Computer Information Systems related programs at Ogeechee Tech.

“This partnership with Ogeechee Technical College is important to Armstrong,” said Armstrong President Linda M. Bleicken. “This allows us to create seamless pathways for our students and to encourage a back-and-forth exchange of ideas between our communities.”

This agreement is one of many ways that Armstrong is committed to extending opportunities to students throughout the region. Armstrong also has MOUs in place with a number of other regional institutions including South University, Savannah Technical College, Georgia Military College and the U.S. Army Center for Cyber Excellence.