SFA, TJC partner to streamline transfer process for students

Dr. Juan E. Mejia, president of Tyler Junior College, and Dr. Neal Weaver, president of Stephen F. Austin State University, celebrate TJC's entry into the Lumberjack Transfer Alliance during SFA Day at TJC April 17. The partnership guarantees TJC students ready to transfer to a four-year university admission, scholarships and enhanced services at SFA.

Stephen F. Austin State University has added Tyler Junior College to its recently launched Lumberjack Transfer Alliance, a partnership with community colleges in East Texas that features guaranteed admission, scholarships and enhanced services to students.

During SFA Day at TJC April 17, the two institutions announced they are working together to increase the economic power of East Texas by raising the number of East Texans with college degrees through a seamless transition from junior college to four-year university.

"It is our job in higher education to create opportunities for our region, for our people, to embrace not only the education but the benefits that come with it," said Dr. Neal Weaver, SFA president. "And this partnership between TJC and SFA can unlock that potential for our part of the state and the people in this region."

TJC President Dr. Juan E. Mejia said the junior college has been looking forward to the partnership with SFA because of the institutions' similar core values, including teaching excellence, innovative programming and stellar services.

"These authentic partnerships are at the core of what TJC stands for," Mejia said. "We want to be the organization that unites, that truly cares for our students and our communities -doing that with integrity and empowering everyone to dream and dream big. It's not about how much we can get without giving. We want to reciprocate. We want to give to you. The door will always be open to you here."

Attendees at the agreement signing ceremony included James I. Perkins, president and chair of the board for Citizens 1st Bank, former SFA regent and the namesake of SFA's James I. Perkins College of Education, as well as Bob Garrett, president and CEO of the Fair Oil Company of Texas Inc. and former SFA Board of Regents chair.

"What we're doing here today is so exciting," Perkins said. "I know each one of you really feel it here."

Garrett shared his personal story of transferring from South Plains College in Levelland to SFA, 527 miles away.

"I had only two years to complete my college education, and I couldn't afford to repeat any classes," Garrett said. "SFA took 100% of my credits."

Garrett emphasized the institutions' goals of boosting the number of college graduates in the region by reaching students who normally don't consider higher education.

"I'm really proud that these two institutions have come together to do that," Garrett said. "If we're going to meet the demands of the workforce, we need more four-year college graduates."

Weaver said he hopes the partnership and SFA's Purple Promise program reverse the trend of fewer TJC students transferring to SFA.

"We want to make this so easy and so possible that no student is told, 'No.' Any transfer student who comes to Stephen F. Austin from a family that earns less than $100,000 a year can come without tuition and fees."

The Lumberjack Transfer Alliance will provide TJC students with the following benefits:

• Automatic consideration for SFA's Purple Promise program, which covers 100% of tuitionand mandatory fees for incoming first-year and transfer students as long as they maintain their eligibility
• Increased likelihood of seamless transfers and on-time graduations from both institutions
• Opportunities to meet with SFA advisors while completing requirements at TJC
• Invitations each semester to tour SFA and attend recruitment events
• A one-time $500 stipend in addition to SFA's Lumberjack Transfer Scholarship for students who meet SFA's eligibility criteria and have completed an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science from TJC
• Opportunities to connect with other students transferring to SFA
• Opportunities to attend SFA events, such as athletics and fine arts events

"There is no way East Texas can be successful if we aren't working together," Weaver said. "We are thrilled to be here, and we are so pleased that TJC would partner with us. To the employees of both institutions that put this together, we thank you very much. What you have done is going to change people's lives."

This event is the second in a series SFA will host to announce its community college partners. Angelina College in Lufkin joined the Lumberjack Transfer Alliance in February. For more information, visit sfasu.edu/transfer/alliance.