New Articulation Agreement Broadens Horizons for Current and Future St. John’s Students

In an ongoing effort to expand academic opportunities for students throughout the New York area, St. John’s University established a new partnership this semester with Suffolk County Community College (SCCC).

Signed on March 30, 2017, the agreement provides 33 associate-to-bachelor’s degree programs for students seeking to transfer from SCCC to St. John’s. It also provides a $17,000 transfer scholarship to students who meet specific academic requirements.

The signing ceremony, at SCCC’s Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood, NY, featured remarks by Thalia Olaya ’15CPS. The East Hampton, NY, resident earned her associate degree at SCCC, completed her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at St. John’s, and is now pursuing her law degree.

“Without the help of St. John’s and SCCC coming together, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” said Ms. Olaya. “St. John’s taught me the Vincentian tradition of giving back. It’s why, one day, I hope to give a voice to those who may not be able to stand up for themselves.”

“The reason we establish articulation agreements with fully accredited, two-year institutions is to help students complete their baccalaureate degree,” said Nancy S. Kaplan, Ed.D., Associate Provost, Academic Support Services and External Academic Partnerships. “That’s goal number one.”

“As an institution, we seek to strengthen our partnerships with community colleges and others, so that students who start their studies elsewhere can earn a degree from St. John’s,” said Dr. Kaplan. “When an institution sends a student to us, we make it our responsibility to help that student succeed.”

According to Dr. Kaplan, careful mapping of the articulation program is one of the keys to its success. “We work closely with our colleagues at SCCC to ensure that incoming students meet our admission criteria, so they can seamlessly make the transfer,” she explained. “When we work closely with our community college partners, the end result is that students are more likely to succeed.”

Moving forward, St. John’s plans to explore agreements that allow its own students to earn degrees in programs the University does not currently offer, such as nursing or engineering. “Other universities are interested in St. John’s students because they know they will get an extremely well-prepared and qualified student,” said Dr. Kaplan. “If you’ve made it through a program here like biomedical sciences, we think you’re going to do well in any school.”  

The partnership adds to the 11 existing transfer articulation agreements that St. John’s has made with accredited, two-year institutions throughout the metropolitan area, including Nassau Community College, Kingsborough Community College, Borough of Manhattan Community College, among others.