Baylor, TJC Announce Partnership on New “Baylor Bound” Transfer Program

TYLER — Baylor University and Tyler Junior College officials Wednesday announced the creation of a formal Baylor Bound program that will help students transfer more easily between the two institutions and will also continue to expand educational opportunities for young people all across Texas. That’s according to a TJC news release. TJC President L. Michael Metke and Baylor President and Chancellor Ken Starr signed the partnership agreement during a ceremony in the board room of TJC’s White Administrative Services Building. According to the release, beginning in fall 2015, the Baylor Bound program will serve highly motivated TJC students who, upon meeting the program’s criteria, will transfer to Baylor toward the goal of completing their undergraduate degree.

“Across our country, it seems as though the door of opportunity is closing for our young people, as the cost of a quality education rises,” Metke said. “Partnerships such as Baylor Bound provide seamless transfer and open the door for joint scholarship opportunities as well, making a quality education affordable for those students who work hard.”

“As a nation, we depend on a strong system of higher education to prepare students for success in an increasingly global economy. For many, a community college can be the preferred access point for a college education and an important first step to economic mobility,” Starr said. “While Baylor has long welcomed transfer students from Tyler Junior College, we desire to strengthen this relationship by establishing a formal transfer agreement that will ensure a smooth transition to Baylor for these wonderful students. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with TJC to make possible this vitally important agreement, and we look forward to welcoming to Baylor more TJC students who wish to take advantage of our academic programs and the transformative student experience that is the cornerstone of a Baylor education.”

Students may declare their intent to transfer to Baylor by submitting the Baylor Bound application prior to enrolling at TJC or while enrolled as full-time students. Admission to the program will be determined by Baylor’s Office of Admission Services. TJC students who become part of the Baylor Bound program can choose a plan from 65 distinct majors, all of which are articulated through specific MAPS, or Major Academic Planners. Officials say the MAPS will assist them as they move toward timely degree completion. You can go to http://www.baylor.edu/advising/bbmaps for more information about these majors and course transfer equivalency between Baylor and TJC.

Most students in Baylor Bound will take classes for one year at TJC and three years at Baylor. However, some students may be approved to take two years at TJC and two at Baylor, depending on the student’s major and number of transfer credit hours. Students must be enrolled in an approved A.A. or A.S. academic program leading to an approved Baylor B.B.A., B.A., B.S.W. or B.S. degree and refer to Baylor’s Major Academic Planner when planning coursework.

TJC Baylor Bound students will belong to a special cohort with unique Baylor benefits. Advisors from both institutions will help students select courses that satisfy program requirements to allow for a successful transition from TJC to full-time status at Baylor, according to the release. TJC Baylor Bound students also will receive information about scholarships for transfer students and special transfer residential experiences, special mailings, scheduled visits with Baylor representatives, and access to Baylor’s libraries.

As one of its goals under the Pro Futuris strategic initiative, Baylor intends to create 10 Baylor Bound partnerships with strong Texas community colleges over the next five years. The University signed its first Baylor Bound agreement last fall with McLennan Community College in Waco.

Baylor and TJC officials, along with several alumni, friends, and special guests from the Tyler area, gathered earlier in the day for a luncheon at Willow Brook Country Club to celebrate the historic partnership between the two institutions. Speakers included Dr. Paul W. Powell of Tyler, Dean Emeritus of Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary, former Baylor Regent and former pastor of Tyler’s Green Acres Baptist Church; Starr; Metke; and Baylor senior Taylor Griffin, who graduated magna cum laude from TJC before transferring to Baylor on a scholarship to study journalism.