Drew University and RVCC Presidents Sign Historic Agreement: RVCC Honors Students Offered Seamless Transition to Drew

By Drew University

Drew University President MaryAnn Baenninger and Raritan Valley Community College President Michael J. McDonough signed a historic agreement on August 13, 2015, that enables RVCC honors students to seamlessly transition into Drew, a private, liberal arts university.

The one-of-a-kind agreement facilitates the transfer of credits for RVCC honors students who pursue a baccalaureate degree at Drew. In addition, RVCC students can take up to two classes at Drew while still attending community college and are eligible for scholarships based on their grade-point averages.

“As far as we know this is a historic first,” said President Baenninger. “This will allow students to have a seamless transition from RVCC to Drew.”

She added that RVCC students can visit the Drew campus, meet with advisers and take up to two courses, increasing their chances of success once they transfer. She also said RVCC transfer students would benefit from the unique features that Drew offers—including its New York semesters, close mentoring relationships with Drew professors and experiential learning opportunities.

President McDonough also endorsed the agreement and said it eliminates haggling over credits and offers opportunities for tuition assistance for RVCC honors students.

“I think this is a remarkable opportunity for our students,” he said. “It offers the opportunity for authentic engagement.”

While many colleges and universities have articulation agreements, the connection between RVCC and Drew is much more than that. Robert Massa, Drew’s senior vice president for enrollment, said liberal arts universities such as Drew are often underrepresented in transfer pathway programs with community colleges. He said RVCC was deliberately chosen as a partner by Drew because it is “one of the top community colleges, not only in the state, but in the region.”

RVCC students who graduate with at least four honors-designated classes may seamlessly transfer to Drew with junior status as long as they fulfill certain requirements. This includes graduating from Raritan Valley with a grade-point average of at least 3.25.

RVCC graduates will be eligible for annual scholarships from Drew based on their grade-point averages. RVCC honors students who graduate with a GPA of 3.75 or higher will receive a $25,000 Honors Scholarship; honors students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher will receive a $20,000 annual Presidential Scholarship; and a Dean’s Scholarship of $15,000 will be awarded to honors students achieving a 3.25 GPA or higher. Students who are members of the Phi Theta Kappa international honor society will receive an additional $2,500 scholarship per year.

The agreement also stipulates that qualified students may take up to two courses at Drew University—at no charge—during their second year at RVCC.

Within the next year, Drew expects to expand this program to an additional four or five community colleges in the region.

Launched in 2011, RVCC’s Honors College serves highly qualified high school graduates who are entering college for the first time. Honors College students benefit from being in small classes with similarly academically motivated students who are taught by a select group of faculty. The Honors College features a cohort-based program with smaller, seminar-style courses that have an interdisciplinary focus and afford students the opportunity to develop a close working relationship with their professors. Students who are admitted to the Honors College become part of a select community of learners and have various opportunities for academic, social and personal growth. Their college experience is further enhanced through leadership and volunteer activities as well as through service learning. For additional information, visit the RVCC Honors College website.

For information about the new agreement, contact Paul Michaud, RVCC’s director of transfer and career services, 908-526-1200, ext. 8333.