Delta State, Northwest sign Memorandum of Understanding to enhance student opportunities
Photo: Delta State University President, Dr. Daniel J. Ennis (left), and Northwest Mississippi Community College President, Michael J. Heindl, shake hands after signing a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance student opportunities. (Photo provided by Delta State University)
July 31 – Delta State University and Northwest Mississippi Community College (NWCC) are pleased to announce the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) designed to expand educational opportunities and improve graduation rates for students of both institutions. This agreement signifies a major step forward in fostering academic collaboration and support for students in Mississippi.
Dr. Daniel J. Ennis, President of Delta State University, expressed enthusiasm about the agreement, saying, “This MOU represents a significant collaboration between Delta State University and Northwest Community College. By working together, we can provide greater support and resources for our students, helping them achieve their academic and professional goals.”
As part of this MOU, Delta State will introduce the new Phi Theta Kappa Community College Residential Award. This scholarship will be available to NWCC students who are active members of Phi Theta Kappa, in good standing, and have completed 45 college credits. The scholarship aims to recognize and support high-achieving students from NWCC as they transition to DSU.
In return, NWCC will actively cooperate with Delta State to promote this scholarship and ensure that its students are well-informed about the various academic programs and opportunities available at DSU.
Dr. Michael J. Heindl, President of Northwest Community College, said, “We are excited to partner with Delta State University to create more pathways for our students. This agreement will not only provide immediate benefits through scholarships and reverse transfer but also pave the way for future collaborations that will enrich the educational experiences of our students.”
A key component of this agreement is the focus on increasing the number of degrees awarded by NWCC through a reverse transfer process with Delta State University. By encouraging reverse transfer, both institutions aim to facilitate degree completion at both the associate and bachelor’s levels. The administrations of DSU and NWCC will work closely to develop shared protocols and processes to enhance data sharing and improve graduation rates for students who have attended both institutions.
Moreover, this partnership will explore additional collaborative possibilities, including co-enrollment programs, shared curricular resources, and enhanced professional development opportunities for faculty and staff.
