University News
WIU/ACC: Partners in Fire Science
September 28, 2010
MACOMB, IL -- Austin (TX) Community College (ACC) students pursuing an associate degree in fire science now have the opportunity to continue their education through the Western Illinois University Bachelor of Arts in General Studies degree program (BGS; formerly called the Board of Trustees Bachelor of Arts – BOT/BA – degree program).
ACC and Western recently signed an agreement that will allow Austin Community College students maximum transferability from the fire science degree program to WIU's BGS program. But before this program was even in place, one Austin-area firefighter took advantage of Western's BGS program.
William D. Fowler of Austin was named Western's 2010 School of Extended Studies Scholar. A 2010 BOT/BA graduate, Fowler traveled across the states to Macomb to participate in Western's Spring Commencement Ceremonies.
A 24-year firefighter in Austin, which includes four years as a U.S. Air Force (USAF) firefighter and seven years as a USAF Reserve firefighter, Fowler is a member of the International Association of Firefighters, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the American Association of Airport Executives, Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Working Group and National Fire Academy Alumni Association.
"I attended college for a little over a year after I graduated from high school, but I changed my course and enlisted in the Air Force. For the next 24 years I tried to finish what I started. When my oldest son went to college, I finally seemed to have the time and motivation to go to college as well," Fowler said. "After I finished my associate's degree at ACC, I decided to complete my bachelor's degree at Western. The courses were challenging and relevant to my career as a firefighter, and the professors were engaging and interested in my progress.
"But the most important influence was my WIU adviser Jennifer Tibbitts. From day one, she made sure I understood the process and the strategy to finish my degree," he added. "For me, it came down to the people at WIU who made the difference between floundering and success."
According to Richard Carter, director of the School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach at Western, ACC fire science students can transfer credit from Austin to the BGS degree program and can complete degree requirements through distance learning options, such as online courses, much like Fowler did. The partnership provides placebound Austin Community College students an opportunity to complete a baccalaureate degree from a quality public institution, Carter added.
"The BGS program is individualized and flexible. Our partnership with Austin allows fire science students to finish their associate's degrees at ACC and have a seamless transfer to Western to obtain their bachelor's degrees while remaining in the Austin area," Carter said. "Austin students will also have the benefits of Western's innovative Cost Guarantee program, which means that an ACC student who earns his or her associate's degree during the spring semester and transfers to Western that fall will lock in WIU's current year tuition and fees rate."
The Bachelor of Arts in General Studies program (then called the Board of Governors program) was created in 1972 to serve adult students who are unable to attend a traditional college program due to family, work or community obligations. Rather than requiring a specific major, the program allows the student to design her or his program to meet individual educational goals. Students may also be eligible for academic credit for college-level learning that was done in a non-collegiate setting, such as the military or on-the-job training.
"This agreement provides our students with a great opportunity to work on their AAS degrees in fire science, while also taking courses toward their B.A. degrees at Western via online instruction. Another unique aspect of the partnership is that ACC students enrolled in the BGS program will have access to Austin Community College resources, including computer labs, so they can complete assignments and connect to their online courses," added MaryJane McReynolds, director of ACC's Office of Articulation and Transfer Resources. "We're pleased to partner with Western to offer our students a quality, affordable education."
For more information on the WIU/ACC partnership, contact Western's School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach at (309) 289-1929 or e-mail Carter at R-Carter@wiu.edu.
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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