{"id":25265,"date":"2021-09-22T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-22T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.tarleton.edu\/news\/tarleton-state-mcc-celebrate-innovative-20-year-partnership\/"},"modified":"2025-09-22T15:47:09","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T20:47:09","slug":"tarleton-state-mcc-celebrate-innovative-20-year-partnership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/news\/tarleton-state-mcc-celebrate-innovative-20-year-partnership\/","title":{"rendered":"Tarleton State, MCC Celebrate Innovative 20-year Partnership"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Tarleton<\/a><\/p>\n

Tarleton Celebrates 20 Years in Waco<\/p>\n

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
\nWednesday, September 22, 2021<\/p>\n

WACO, Texas \u2014 It started as a revolutionary idea: Ask the best state-supported universities in Texas to provide their programs right on the campus of a community college so students could earn an associate and subsequent degrees close to home. Make the degrees affordable and the entire experience exceptional.<\/p>\n

McLennan Community College\u2019s transformative concept included an invite in 2001 for Tarleton State University to become the second of five partner institutions known as MCC\u2019s University Center in Waco. Today Tarleton and MCC celebrated 20 years of shared space in the Michaelis Academic Center and the forward thinking that makes it possible. Watch the video of the celebration<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been breaking down barriers and taking giant steps in educational opportunity since our founding in 1899,\u201d said Tarleton President James Hurley. \u201cWe\u2019re honored to be part of McLennan\u2019s University Center. Together we\u2019re making university degrees possible for students who otherwise might not have the chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Recalling early discussions between former McLennan and Tarleton presidents, current MCC President Johnette McKown said the institutions were unwavering in their quest to bring state-supported, four-years-and-beyond education to Central Texas.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was an act of faith for Dr. (Dennis) McCabe and his (Tarleton) team,\u201d she said. \u201cFrom the beginning, Tarleton has invested resources in our community to provide opportunity for our citizens. Over the past two decades, with the continued leadership of Dr. (Dominic) Dottavio and now Dr. Hurley, our partnership has flourished. The future is bright as both institutions move forward for the success of our students.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two decades ago Tarleton\u2019s enrollment at MCC\u2019s University\u2019s Center was less than three dozen. Today it\u2019s 1,000, with 4,400 graduates over the 20-year collaboration.<\/p>\n

Tarleton offers more than 30 undergraduate and graduate programs in Waco, including a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies. Seamless degree paths make it easy to begin at MCC and then transfer to Tarleton to complete the bachelor\u2019s, saving dollars and class hours.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen companies consider a move to Central Texas, they ask about the education of the area\u2019s workforce as well as opportunities available to the employees and families who relocate,\u201d said state Rep. Charles \u201cDoc\u201d Anderson (District 56). \u201cMCC, its University Center and Tarleton are a great solution.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although Anderson could not attend today\u2019s celebration, his District Director, Elaine Slaughter, presented both schools a state resolution applauding their commitment to provide Central Texas students with the knowledge and skills necessary for rewarding careers.<\/p>\n

Calling Central Texas a national model for economic growth, Waco Mayor Dillon Meek said Tarleton and MCC\u2019s strategic partnership complements the city\u2019s commitment to prosperity for all Waco residents.<\/p>\n

\u201cHigher education institutions and municipalities nationwide are catching on to the power of town and gown, combining knowledge and resources to bring about permanent good,\u201d he said. \u201cTarleton, MCC and Waco have been doing it successfully for 20 years.\u201d<\/p>\n

A proclamation from the city of Waco declared today \u201cTarleton State University-Waco 20th Anniversary Day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur partnership with MCC enables us both to accomplish more than we could alone,\u201d Dr. Hurley said. \u201cWe\u2019re turning Central Texas into a hub for educational excellence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tarleton\u2019s partnership with MCC includes dual admission at both schools, reverse transfer of coursework, a financial aid consortium and scholarship opportunities. Classes are offered days and evenings, on select weekends and online. Discover more at tarleton.edu\/waco<\/a>, or call 254-299-8322.<\/p>\n

About McLennan Community College<\/strong><\/p>\n

McLennan Community College, located in Waco, opened in 1965 and serves almost 9,000 students. The University Center is a partnership between MCC and four-year institutions that offer complete degree programs on the MCC campus. University Center partners are Midwestern State University, Tarleton State University, Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and The University of Texas Medical Branch.<\/p>\n

Contacts:<\/p>\n

Cecilia Jacobs, Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communications, Tarleton
\n254-968-1620
\ncjacobs@tarleton.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

Annette Scott, University Center Director, MCC
\n254-299-8380
\nahscott@mclennan.edu<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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