Contact: Chris Chesrown
Media Relations Manager
480-731-8503
Contact: Tonja Johnson
MVSU Public Relations
662-254-3577

For Immediate Release

BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS CELEBRATED WITH HISTORIC AGREEMENT

February 22, 2002 – In an effort to provide expanded opportunities for educational excellence, the Maricopa Community Colleges are entering into an historic agreement with Mississippi Valley State University, one of the nation’s 113 “Historically Black Colleges and Universities.”

The colleges have signed a two-pronged agreement designed to help both students and faculty expand their learning and career opportunities. First, an articulation agreement will allow students at all ten Maricopa Community Colleges to seamlessly transfer the credits they have earned in a number of educational tracks. Secondly, the partnership will ensure faculty recruitment between the Maricopa Community Colleges and Mississippi Valley State, to provide career enrichment opportunities to educators.

“We are honored to enter into such an historic agreement with such a respected university,” said Dr. Anna Solley, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for the Maricopa Community Colleges. “One of our shared values is diversity and this agreement with Mississippi Valley State University illustrates our commitment to that value.”

“The Maricopa Community Colleges have a reputation for pursuing excellence in educational opportunities, both for students and faculty,” said Dr. Lester Newman, President of MVSU. “We are dedicated to providing opportunities to all students and welcome this chance to help students earn a baccalaureate degree at MVSU.”

“Students work hard to earn college credits. The coursework to attain those credits has proven to be rigorous at the Maricopa Community Colleges and we endorse the efforts taking place to help students reach their academic goals,” said Wilbert Nelson, President of the Maricopa council on Black American Affairs. “We hope this is the first of many such agreements.”

A reception marking the agreement is being held on Friday, March 1, 6 p.m.- 8 p.m., at the Wellesley Inn & Suites, 217 W. Osborn Road. The public may call 602-285-7404 to RSVP.

The Maricopa County Community College District is one of the largest community college districts in the nation. It includes 10 colleges – Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Estrella Mountain Community College, GateWay Community College, Glendale Community College, Mesa Community College, Paradise Valley Community College, Phoenix College, Rio Salado College, Scottsdale Community College and South Mountain Community College. The District also includes the Maricopa Skill Center, Southwest Skill Center, several satellite campuses and business/industry, technical and customized training institutes and serves more than 277,000 students annually. For more information: 480-731-8000 or www.maricopa.edu

Mississippi Valley State University, which began serving students in 1950, is located in Itta Bena, Mississippi. It provides accessible, relevant and quality undergraduate and masters level programs with opportunities for concentrated study in the arts, humanities, sciences and technology, business, education, special services, and pre-professional health services. Mississippi Valley State University values and promotes excellence in its central mission of teaching and strives to provide an inviting and supportive learning and living environment to all who would strive for academic excellence.

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March 13, 2002