WGU Texas, Lone Star College Partner to Eliminate Transfer Barriers for Students Who Seek Four-year Degrees

HOUSTON, TX  (Sept. 28, 2020) – WGU Texas and Western Governors University (WGU) have announced a partnership with Lone Star College (LSC) to implement WGU’s “Onward With Learning” initiative—better known as the OWL Transfer Program—to support students who seek bachelor’s degrees after completing their associate degrees. The program launched this month and is designed to remove common transfer barriers through early engagement with students and sustained support during their academic journey at LSC.

“WGU is committed to helping Lone Star College students further their educational achievements by removing barriers to transfer,” said Spencer Stewart, WGU’s Vice President of Partnerships. Lone Star College’s high-quality programs will prepare them for a four-year degree program at WGU Texas, and by engaging students early and often we can make sure they streamline their academic journey—saving them time and tuition costs.”

• Benefits to students participating in the OWL Transfer Program include:
  
• Guaranteed admission at WGU Texas for Lone Star College graduates participating in the OWL program.
• Eligibility to earn a scholarship of $900 per six-month term, for up to two years.
• Regular email communications through the OWL Nurture Program to keep students on track for success and graduation.
• Free online transfer success courses and co-advising from WGU staff to ensure credit transfer maximization.
• Access to social-emotional learning course—the Program for Academic and Career Advancement (PACA)—that helps develop students’ confidence, communication skills, help-seeking skills, and planning, time management, and study habits.

WGU—the nation’s largest online, nonprofit university—introduced the OWL Transfer Program this month to 21 community colleges across the country to serve thousands of students who are newly enrolled or who have completed less than 50 percent of their associate degree programs (30 credits), and who are interested in one of 13 bachelor’s degree programs from WGU Texas’ College of Business, College of Information Technology, or Teachers College.

            “We are excited that WGU Texas is working with Lone Star College to help our students continue their education,” said Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., LSC chancellor. “This partnership is a perfect example how two-year and four-year colleges can work together to create educational pathways for our students.”

More information about the OWL Transfer Program, including a full list of eligible WGU Texas degree programs and a sign-up form for interested students, is available at www.wgu.edu/owltransferprogram.

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About WGU Texas

WGU Texas is an online, nonprofit, competency-based university established to expand Texans’ access to higher education throughout the state. Formed through a partnership between the state of Texas and nationally recognized Western Governors University, WGU Texas is open to all qualified Texas residents. The university offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the high-demand career fields of business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. Since the university’s launch in 2011, more than 16,000 graduates have earned their undergraduate or graduate degrees through a variety of academic offerings.

About WGU
Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, online, nonprofit WGU now serves more than 121,000 students nationwide and has more than 200,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nation’s leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In just 23 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the workforce needed in today’s rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at www.wgu.edu.

About Lone Star College

Lone Star College offers high quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education to 99,000 students each semester. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. LSC is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area with an annual economic impact of nearly $3 billion. LSC consists of seven colleges, eight centers, two university centers, Lone Star Corporate College and LSC-Online. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.