Gersom Lopez, director of international student admission for Monroe College in New Rochelle and The Bronx, New York, is flanked by James Walsh, executive director of CCCJ, on his left, and Dahlia Repole, vice-chairman of the CCCJ, on his right. The occasion was the signing of an academic credit articulation agreement between Monroe, a 69-year-old private business and technology college in New York, and the Jamaican umbrella organization that represents the academic interests of its eight local community colleges, representatives of which also witnessed the signing. - Contributed
MONROE COLLEGE in New Rochelle, New York, USA, has entered into an articulation agreement with the eight member colleges of the Council of Community Colleges of Jamaica (CCCJ).
"Articulation is of significant importance to college students who want the opportunity of studying with professors from more than one college," explained Anthony Allen, dean of admissions for Monroe.
"It increases the likelihood that academic credits earned at one institution will be applicable at other colleges and will satisfy any academic prerequisites or degree requirements." The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools accredits Monroe. "Articulation is of equal importance to students in Jamaica interested in studying in the United States and to students enrolled at Monroe who may be interested in studying in Jamaica," noted James Walsh, executive director of CCCJ.
Allen added that the agreement also creates new opportunities for exchange programmes and academic sabbaticals between Monroe and the eight colleges represented by the Council including Excelsior, Knox, Montego Bay, Browns Town, Portmore, Moneague College, Bethlehem Moravian College and the College of Agriculture, Science and Education. To encourage interest in its Bachelor's degree programmes in accounting, business management, general business and information systems, Monroe will offer a full scholarship to one qualifying student at each of the eight community colleges represented by the Council, as well as four partial scholarships at each college.
The college has been conducting open house at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort in Montego Bay between March 5 and 7 for persons interested in some of their bachelor's and associate degree programmes.
Potential students interested in Monroe's Bachelor's or Associate degree programmes in accounting, business administration, computer science, health information technology, hospitality management and office technologies are invited to attend one of three open houses Monday, March 4, 5-7 p.m., Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort, Rose Hall, Montego Bay; Wednesday,
March 6, 5-7 p.m., Golf View Hotel, 5 Caledonia Road, Mandeville, Manchester, and Thursday, March 7, 5-7 p.m., Hilton Hotel, 77 Knutsford Blvd, Kingston 5. Attendance is free and without obligation but reservations are required. "Monroe has been actively recruiting students in the Caribbean since the mid-1990's," said Gersom Lopez, Monroe's director of international student admission. "Our appeal to international students is in part due to the fact that we have one focus their future. Also, having a suburban campus that is close to New York City without being in the heart of a major metropolitan area and the availability of apartment-style student housing are also major draws."
