Muskegon Community College students who earned 30 or more credit hours but not an associate’s degree before transferring to Grand Valley State University may now have the opportunity to receive that degree. The presidents of the two institutions co-signed an agreement on Monday afternoon in MCC’s Stevenson Center that establishes a reverse transfer associate’s degree between the two schools.
“The advantage to the student is the second degree will make them more employable,” said MCC President Dale Nesbary, noting that one-third of all statewide community college students will transfer before completing their associate’s degree.
“Based on the number of credits a student is shy of that degree, Grand Valley will transfer back to Muskegon Community College those credits applicable to the associate’s degree had the student remained at MCC.”
The initiative, an extension of the transfer agreements in place between MCC and GVSU, requires both institutions to develop a method for documenting processes, communications and a timeline in support of the reverse transfer associate degree, as well as a method to track its success.
”The mission of our respective institutions is student focused,” said GVSU President Thomas J. Haas. “In this case, what we are doing is capturing the opportunity to recognize student achievement. But what’s really great about this is that it also provides an opportunity for both the community college and the university to share this credentialing with the business leaders in west Michigan and beyond.”
President Nesbary pointed to Talent 2025 conversations between college and university presidents and the CEOs of business in the West Michigan region as a catalyst for the initiative. A lack of college degree and certificates among the region’s residents emerged as an important area of concern, said Nesbary.
“This initiative is instrumental in creating the further partnerships that we need, not just with our respective institutions, but with other members involved in the region’s economic vitality,” concluded Haas.