Category: Academics

SC4 signs new agreements to help students easily transfer to four-year institutions

To kick off National Transfer Student Week, St. Clair County Community College (SC4) today announced new transfer agreements that will make it easier for community college students to seamlessly transfer to four-year institutions to complete their bachelor’s degrees. SC4 has entered into agreements in the areas of general applied science, applied business, healthcare and information technology.

SC4 is one of 25 community colleges to enter into the new transfer agreements with 10 four-year colleges and universities across Michigan. Collectively, the agreements include 529 associate degree programs offered by community colleges and 44 bachelor’s degrees at four-year institutions.

“The majority of SC4 students transfer to four-year institutions,” said Dr. Deborah A. Snyder, president of SC4. “These agreements, in addition to others already established here at SC4, will help provide more seamless pathways for our students, which will minimize loss of credits and potential debt.”

National Transfer Student Week focuses on eliminating common transfer barriers and recognizing the diverse student needs and identities within transfer populations. Michigan community colleges are working to break down barriers by creating additional options for current students as well as associate degree holders that are already in the workforce to continue their education.

“Employers increasingly see the need for their associate degree-trained employees to return to college for a bachelor’s degree,” said Erica Lee Orians, executive director of the Michigan Center for Student Success at the Michigan Community College Association. “These agreements provide a simplified pathway with multiple university partners across the state to ensure that students can earn a bachelor’s degree.”

Participating four-year institutions will accept the full associate degrees, meaning there will not be a course-by-course evaluation for transferability. Additionally, these four-year institutions will accept credit for prior learning that was previously applied to the associate degree, which is a benefit for students with life experience in their field.

SC4 to host Financial Aid Night Oct. 26

Individuals, families and residents interested in learning about financial aid tips and opportunities can attend St. Clair County Community College’s Financial Aid Night at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, in the college’s Fine Arts Theatre.

“If you’re interested in earning credits, a degree or a certificate and want to learn more about federal, state and private funding sources and scholarships that might help you achieve your goals, this event is for you—no matter where you’re planning on heading to college,” said Executive Director of Financial Assistance and Services Josephine Cassar.

SC4’s tuition is about a third of the cost of four-year institutions, allowing students to reduce borrowing and incur less debt. Additionally, free tuition or assistance may be available through local school districts, middle college programs, Michigan Reconnect, Michigan Futures for Frontliners, the Federal Pell Grant, employer programs and more.

With the 2023-24 Federal Application for Free Student Aid (FAFSA) now available, the Oct. 26 event provides timely assistance for those interested in learning more about paying for college. Learn more about making college affordable at sc4.edu/financial-aid.

New York Times bestselling author to make Michigan book discussion debut at SC4

New York Times bestselling author Andrew Maraniss will make his book discussion and signing debut in Southeast Michigan on Tuesday, Sept. 20, at St. Clair County Community College (SC4) in Port Huron.

The event, hosted by SC4’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, will feature a guided book discussion on “Strong Inside,” the story of trailblazing athlete Perry Wallace and of civil rights and race in America during the tumultuous 1960s. The book also highlights as a key character Detroiter Godfrey Dillard, a fellow pioneering black Vanderbilt Commodores player and now prominent civil rights attorney.

“Strong Inside” is the first of five books by Maraniss that aims to illuminate social justice issues through an athletics lens in an effort to raise awareness and foster an interest in reading. His other books include:

  • “Inaugural Ballers: The True Story of the First U.S. Women’s Olympic Basketball Team” – Due out on Sept. 13, 2022
  • “Singled Out: The True Story of Glenn Burke” – The story of Glenn Burke, the first openly gay MLB player and inventor of the high five
  • “Games of Deception: The True Story of the First U.S. Olympic Basketball Team at the 1936 Olympics in Hitler’s Germany”
  • “Strong Inside” Young Readers Edition

“I was really into sports growing up, and I realized there are a lot of social issues you can study through sports,” Maraniss said. “Whether it’s paving the way as a first player or team in a previously prohibited space, or advocating for pay equity or more, sports often have a way of leading and elevating the discussion. My hope is that by writing about these events, teams and figures, more readers, especially students, who have a passion for sports will want to continue reading other books as well.”

In addition to his work as an author, Maraniss also serves as director of special projects at Vanderbilt Athletics. He’s also held positions as a contributing writer at ESPN, a partner at McNeely, Pigott & Fox Public Relations, and media relations manager with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Though Maraniss himself does not have Michigan roots, his father, David Maraniss—who’s also a New York Times bestselling author—was born in Detroit. Andrew’s grandparents also have ties as residents and University of Michigan alumni.

“We’re thrilled to bring such a talented and relevant author to campus and to our region,” said Dr. Deborah A. Snyder, president of SC4. “We’re committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable educational environment here at SC4. Our students, faculty, staff, alumni, community members and guests from across Southeast Michigan and Ontario will benefit greatly from this discussion and visit.” 

The book signing will take place from 5 to 5:45 p.m. and the discussion from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on SC4’s Port Huron, Mich., campus in the Fine Arts Theatre. The event is free and open to the public, though registration is required. For more information, contact SC4’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at dei@sc4.edu.

To order books by Maraniss, visit andrewmaraniss.com/buy-the-books/.

“Strong Inside” book review
“In a magnificently reported, nuanced but raw account of basketball and racism in the South during the 1960s, Andrew Maraniss tells the story of Perry Wallace’s struggle, loneliness, perseverance and eventual self-realization. A rare story about physical and intellectual courage that is both shocking and triumphant.” – Bob Woodward, Washington Post associate editor and author