[caption id="attachment_33762" align="alignleft" width="300"] Dr. Carlos Vargas, president of Southeast Missouri State University, left, and Dr. Wes Payne, president of Three Rivers College, right, signed articulation agreements today between the two institutions.[/caption]

Signing the agreements at Three Rivers College today were Dr. Carlos Vargas, president of Southeast Missouri State University, and Dr. Wes Payne, president of Three Rivers College. The 2+2 agreements provide TRC students with convenient completion locations at Southeast campuses in Cape Girardeau, Kennett, Sikeston, Southeasts Poplar Bluff Delivery Site at the TRC University Center and via Southeast Online.Under the agreements, TRC students with an Associate of Arts in Business Administration (BSBA) may transfer into any of Southeasts 13 Bachelor of Science in Business Administration programs in accounting; business administration; economics, business economics option; economics, financial economics option; entrepreneurship; finance; healthcare administration; international business; management, human resource management option; management; marketing, integrated marketing communications option; marketing, management option; and marketing, sales management option.In addition, TRC students with an Associate of Arts in Agriculture may transfer into Southeasts Bachelor of Science in agribusiness program with options available in agriculture industry, animal science, plant and soil science, agriculture communications, agriculture systems management, and horticulture. TRC students with an Associate of Arts in Agriculture also may transfer into Southeasts Bachelor of Science in Education program in agriculture education.It is critical that we do all we can to help guide students here in our region who dream of completing a four-year degree close to home, Vargas said. We are extremely pleased to join Three Rivers College in formalizing these 2+2 programs for students with career interests in agriculture and business. This region has some of the nations most agriculturally fertile farmland in the country, and it is incumbent upon us to prepare students with the skills for an industry that is the backbone of this region.Payne said, Education is one of the most important factors in our regions success. These agreements and the bachelors degree completion opportunities they provide will make it easier for our students to continue their education close to home. These agreements help us meet the needs of our students and keep them focused on the completion of their degree and ultimate goal.Dr. Julie Weathers, chair of the Southeast Department of Agriculture, added, The Department of Agriculture is very excited that this agreement has been continued. We have been receiving transfer students from Three Rivers for several years and feel this relationship is extremely beneficial not only for the institutions but also for the region as a whole. These students are able to gain employment in one of the regions largest sectors, agriculture, and thus continue to grow the area.Vargas said Southeast also is pleased these agreements will pave the way for Three Rivers students to continue their education at Southeast and complete any of the Universitys 13 BSBA programs.We are excited to offer a pathway for Three Rivers students to join our Harrison College of Business and Computing to complete their business degree, Vargas said. We offer high-quality programs and opportunities to participate in international competitions and internships with industry leaders. We also have a creative arts and industries incubator driving innovation in business and entrepreneurship. We look forward to Three Rivers students building on their skills at Southeast so they can be successful in business communities across this region and throughout Missouris workforce.Dr. Alberto Davila, dean of Southeasts College of Business and Computing, said, The Harrison College of Business and Computing is very excited about the articulation agreement with Three Rivers College that offers our AACSB-accredited Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program to Three Rivers transfer students in Poplar Bluff. Not only does this agreement make it more convenient for Three Rivers students to take the necessary courses to earn the Southeast Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, but it also will increase the pool of business trained individuals, benefiting the economic growth and development of the Missouri Bootheel.The agreements are effective with the start of the fall 2019 semester. TRC students wishing to continue their education at Southeast may also take advantage of the Transfer Mentor Program available to them at no cost. This program helps transfer students strengthen their pathway to success and enhance their transition to Southeast early on as they work to complete their degree. The Transfer Mentor Program helps community college students plan and track their degree program at Southeast from their very first semester of college. The program offers community college students access to academic advising at Southeast and Southeasts web-based degree management system, offering them the information they need early on in their college journey as they plan and navigate their transfer into Southeast bachelors degree programs.For more information, in Poplar Bluff, contact Pauletta Burns, coordinator of academic and student services, at (573) 840-9575 or pburns@semo.edu. In Cape Girardeau, contact the Southeast Office of Admissions at (573) 651-2590 or transfer@semo.edu. Questions also may be directed to Southeasts Advising Center at (573) 651-5090 or advising@semo.edu.