Ruskin (January 2012) - In an effort to further expand educational opportunities to the residents of southern Hillsborough County and northern Manatee County, Hillsborough Community College’s SouthShore Campus and the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee (USFSM)are entering into a long-term agreement to provide a seamless baccalaureate degree experience at the SouthShore Campus. USFSM will begin offering a bachelor of science in business at the SouthShore Campus in August of 2012 with a plan to expand into other areas.
The signing for the joint-use agreement will take place on Tuesday, January 24 at 11:00 a.m. in the Community Room at the SouthShore Campus. HCC President Dr. Ken Atwater, USFSM Regional Chancellor Dr. Arthur Guilford, and HCC SouthShore Campus President Dr. Allen Witt will take part in the signing.
“The SouthShore Campus has been wholly committed to bringing educational opportunities to this previously underserved area,” said Campus President
Dr. Allen Witt. “This partnership with USF Sarasota-Manatee represents a level of collaboration that our residents deserve and will serve to greatly enhance the overall student learning experience at our campus.”
“This will be an extension of our 2+2 agreement and will provide the opportunity for students to take their lower division courses at HCC and then continue their bachelor’s degree with USFSM,” said Dr. Arthur Guilford, Regional Chancellor for USFSM. “We surveyed the HCC SouthShore students and found that 56% of the respondents were interested in earning their bachelor’s degree from USFSM so this provides a great opportunity for them to begin obtaining that goal.”
The agreement between HCC SouthShore and USFSM complements a joint resolution signed in December between USF, HCC, Pasco-Hernando Community College, and St. Pete College that seeks to increase the regional production of associate, bachelor’s, and graduate degree levels; reduce time to degree; fill specific degree voids; and better prepare students at all levels to promote further study.
About HCC
Hillsborough Community College is a comprehensive community college serving more than 48,000 students annually on five campuses and three centers throughout Hillsborough County. HCC SouthShore opened in 2008 and was the first LEED Gold Certified community college in the state of Florida.
About USF Sarasota-Manatee
USF Sarasota-Manatee is a comprehensive university for those interested in pursuing a baccalaureate or master’s degree. USFSM, part of the USF System, offers the prestige of a nationally ranked research university with the convenience of a hometown university, including classes in south Sarasota County.
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