New Degree Programs Through Navarro College Partnership

By Mary Grace Rodriguez

Texas A&M University-Commerce recently signed an articulation agreement with Navarro College in Corsicana to expand on existing programs with the addition of computer science and computer information systems degrees. In a ceremony on May 22, 2015, Navarro College President, Dr. Barbara Kavalier; Academic Affairs Vice President, Dr. Harold Housley; A&M-Commerce President, Dr. Dan R. Jones; and Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Adolfo Benavides, formally added to the Navarro College and A&M-Commerce Dual Enrollment Agreement.  

A&M-Commerce's Navarro College-Corsicana location recently added an environmental science degree, in place as of last year, increasing the pool of existing degree offerings, which also includes elementary education and criminal justice degree programs.

“These agreements allow another opportunity for local students to complete a life changing bachelor’s degree close to home,” said Jeanetta Groce, director of the Navarro College Partnership. “Students are choosing to enroll in local classes for a variety of personal and economic reasons. These new degree opportunities make it possible for students to earn an associate’s degree at Navarro College and transfer seamlessly into our A&M-Commerce program at our Navarro College Partnership location in Corsicana. Opportunities like this make a difference for college students of all ages.”

Of the new computer science degree offering, Dr. Brent Donham, dean of the College of Science and Engineering, said:

“I am excited about the articulation agreement with Navarro College in computer science. During my 13 years of service at a community college, I was fortunate to develop and implement several successful articulation agreements. I have seen firsthand how these agreements provide opportunities for students that might not otherwise have chosen to pursue a degree in a computer science, technology or an engineering field. This articulation agreement builds upon the long successful partnership between A&M-Commerce and Navarro College.”

A partnership graduation ceremony took place in Corsicana on May 22 to confer A&M-Commerce degrees to partnership students.  Graduation ceremonies have occurred in Corsicana since 2001 with a total of 2,075 graduates.