WSC and NECC sign agreement to strengthen regional industrial technology program – The Wayne Stater

The Wayne State College and Northeast Community College agreement, signed on August 3, 2021, aims to strengthen industrial technology programs in the region, according to Jeff Allen.

WSC and NCC signed the agreement to make it easier for students to have new choices and an extension of their associate’s degree, according to Allen, professor of technology and applied science at WSC. If a student wishes to have the opportunity to earn their bachelor’s degree, this agreement allows NCC students to transfer up to 80 credits to the WSC. Allen said any student who gets a two-year degree can most likely get a four-year degree with little difficulty.

Applied science professors from both colleges were able to meet on September 10, 2021 and discuss how this agreement works for each college and how the transfer process works. “We’ve been introduced to people… we usually email and all of a sudden we could say, ‘Oh, here’s that person,’” Allen said.

Allen believes the deal gives students the opportunity to be placed in their field of study upon leaving college. “Our security and construction students come out and get jobs ranging from fifty to seventy thousand dollars a year right off the bat,” Allen said.

Allen said that at WSC, students get internships during the summer and immediately receive job offers to come to work after graduation.

With the expansion of industrial technology, WSC courses are filled with students. An additional staff member may teach some courses.

When students transfer their credits to WSC from NCC, staff will be able to see where that student stands academically. This will help professors know which higher level courses students need to take.

A student specializing in safety drawing, design and management, Jacob Cech, said he was excited about the increased interest in applied science at WSC. “I will be able to gain more experience in different classes… and learn different styles that will allow me to understand how I want to do my own thing someday,” said Cech.

Allen is pleased with the growth of the program and excited about the expansion. “A shrinkage program is a terrible thing to go through… growing up is actually pretty fun. ”