Mineral Area College - News Details

CMU, MAC Celebrate 20 Years of Partnership

11/1/2009 1:00:00 AM

By: Sarah Haas, Public Information

(PARK HILLS) – The first Missouri educational partnership between a private college and a public community college was celebrated Oct. 27, when Central Methodist University and Mineral Area College gathered with members of local chambers to celebrate 20 years of offering “2+2” programs to southeast Missouri students.

The collaboration was celebrated during a Park Hills-Leadington Chamber Business After-Hours gathering at the MAC Fine Arts Theatre Foyer. Members of Bonne Terre, Desloge, Farmington and Fredericktown chambers also joined the celebration.

During the event, CMU President Dr. Marianne Inman and MAC President Dr. Steve Kurtz signed an articulation agreement for the Associate of Applied Science degree in child development. CMU will accept this degree as part of their bachelor’s degree in child development.

Dr. Kurtz indicated it was another example of how well the educational institutions worked together.

"Central Methodist University has been such a great friend and partner to Mineral Area College,” he said “The collaboration has benefitted thousands of graduates these past 20 years, allowing them to expand their education closer to home. It's helped create a more qualified and educated workforce, which in these economic times has never been more crucial."

Since the CMU-MAC inception, other community colleges have formed partnerships with private and public, four-year colleges and universities, but MAC’s and CMU’s partnership was a first in Missouri. It was spearheaded at the time by Mineral Area College President Dr. Dixie A. Kohn and Central Methodist College (now Central Methodist University) President Dr. Joe Al Howell.

The program started with about 50 students, with Dr. Charles Rorex serving as the dean. The first Central Methodist graduation at MAC was held in 1991. Today, the program regularly has about 400 students each year, with Dean Sam Mason at the helm. With the graduation of the 2010 class, about 2,000 students will have graduated from the program.

CMU degree programs offered at MAC are fully accredited. Generally, CMU classes are taught in the late afternoon and early evening to accommodate the work and personal schedules of students. Staff of Central Methodist University, including Regional Dean Sam Mason, are available on-site at MAC to help students enrolled in Central Methodist University classes and to provide information about courses and degree programs.

CMU classes at MAC are primarily designed for students who have already completed a two-year college degree, or degree at the associate’s level, and who wish to complete requirements for a baccalaureate, or four-year, college degree. The classes are also appropriate for students who are interested in personal or professional enrichment or growth, but not necessarily interested in attaining a four-year degree.