EDITORIAL

College partnership helps forge new path

Posted 10/1/14

Education is a cornerstone of our society, viewed as critical in the creation of informed citizens and ideally providing a broad and inclusive path toward advancement and self-betterment. …

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EDITORIAL

College partnership helps forge new path

Posted

Education is a cornerstone of our society, viewed as critical in the creation of informed citizens and ideally providing a broad and inclusive path toward advancement and self-betterment.

Attending college, for many, represents the pinnacle of education and the essence of the American dream. The realities of our times, however – from growing specialization and increased competition in the job market to rapidly escalating college costs – have led many to seek alternatives outside the traditional four-year degree. Education being an ongoing, lifetime process is no longer an idealized abstraction. It is, for many, an economic imperative.

A recently announced partnership between Providence College and the Community College of Rhode Island will provide a solution for Rhode Islanders seeking to realize their educational goals, continue their studies and enhance their skills in a way that meets their needs.

It is one of several such collaborative efforts CCRI is pursuing, including an agreement previously reached with American International College and a pact being finalized with Northeastern University.

CCRI students will now have an opportunity to attend PC’s College of Continuing Education at a 33 percent tuition discount. Students who earn an associate’s degree at CCRI with a 3.0 grade point average will be automatically eligible to pursue a bachelor’s degree through night and evening courses at the reduced rates. Those seeking to pursue studies at PC will need to decide upon that course within their first 30 CCRI credits.

Officials from both institutions were effusive in their praise for the new arrangement. The Rev. Brian Shanley, president of PC, called it a “marriage made in heaven,” while CCRI President Ray Di Pasquale called it “first class.”

“This is helping students to realize their dreams to go to Providence College,” Di Pasquale said.

For PC, the arrangement will open the doors to thousands of new, local students. For CCRI, it provides another opportunity for those enrolled – many of who are older and part of the working world – to continue their academic pursuits.

We applaud both institutions for their willingness to work together and embrace innovation. Such partnerships and solutions are vital to the future of our state.

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