At the end of the day, it’s all about what can benefit the students.

That was the mentality officials with Northeast State Community College and King University had Tuesday morning as both postsecondary schools announced dual admission agreement allowing qualified Northeast State students to have dual admission and guaranteed acceptance to King University. Officials signed the agreement instituting the new program inside the Wayne G. Basler Library on the Northeast State – Blountville campus and were joined by several administrative leaders from both schools and representatives from the Tennessee Board of Regents.

Effective immediately for students, the collaboration offers students a chance to have a structured approach by completing their associate’s degree at Northeast State, then being able to pursue a bachelor’s degree through enrollment at King.

According to information provided by both schools, the admission program will allow students to:

• Benefit from a strongly supportive learning environment while at Northeast State

• Work jointly with academic advisors at both institutions

• Receive a guided transition to King

Having quality students from Northeast State is nothing out of the ordinary, according to King President Alexander W. Whitaker IV, and this partnership will only foster the growth of students in the region.

“Research has indicated that students who complete an associate’s degree are more likely to be successful in attaining a baccalaureate degree,” Whitaker said following the meeting. “This agreement ensures that two-year graduates at Northeast State are provided a seamless opportunity to transfer to King upon graduation to pursue their four-year degree. We’re proud to partner with Northeast State in this arrangement, which deepens access to high education for students throughout our region.”

According to the agreement, Northeast State will accept appropriate student credits earned at King, which can be applied toward their associate’s degree. Acceptance to King can begin as early as the beginning of the third semester of enrollment at Northeast State. Students will be able to register during King’s earliest registration event during the semester, in which they will be graduating from Northeast.

James King, interim Northeast State president, added the long-standing relationship between both schools can only grow with the program and that at the end of the day, the partnership is a great benefit for students at both schools.

It’s also a cost-effective measure for students. Due to recent regulations put in by the state, citizens in Tennessee have opportunities to have tuition-free post secondary and technical school opportunities thanks to programs like TN Promise and TN Reconnect. With the opportunities for tuition-free associate degrees, King noted the school has seen an increase in quality students looking to finish up their academic careers, and that this agreement can only help further their professional and academic development.

“The one thing we’ve seen on this campus over the last two years is the impact TN Promise had made on Northeast State,” King said. “We’ve got some of the best and brightest students in Northeast Tennessee starting here, and the Promise allows students to start here at basically no cost.”

Locally, King was also quick to commend the efforts of staff, faculty and students at the Northeast State campus in Elizabethton. King stated the campus is expecting record enrollments for the fall semester and that he is excited to work alongside new county leadership to further develop the campus for incoming students.

“It’s an extremely vital campus to us,” he said. “We’re excited to see what it holds for the future.”

Students can contact the admission offices at Northeast State and King to learn more about the dual program.

A copy of the agreement can be viewed here: King/Northeast State Dual Admission Program