Wright State, Clark State unveil Gateway Program to increase bachelor-degree recipients

David H. Devier, vice president of academic and student affairs at Clark State, and Wright State Provost Steven Angle were happy to sign the agreement that creates an established partnership between the two schools.

Wright State University and Clark State Community College have joined forces to ease the transition from a community college to a four-year college and help meet a statewide goal of producing more graduates with bachelor’s degrees.

The two institutions on Aug. 15 announced the Gateway Program, which will enable Clark State students to make a seamless transition to Wright State by providing them with access, advising and other services at Wright State while still enrolled at Clark State.

“The Gateway Program allows Clark State students to use Wright State facilities, including campus housing; be part of the Wright State community and to meet with academic advisors at both institutions,” said Wright State Provost Steven Angle. “This will provide an affordable option for students unable to begin their education at a four-year institution and will help advance educational attainment in Ohio.”

The Gateway Program has three different prongs:

–Gateway Pathway: Designed for students entering Clark State with the intention of obtaining a bachelor’s degree at Wright State upon completing their program of study at Clark State.

–Gateway in Residence: Designed for students who apply to Wright State but do not initially meet the university’s entrance requirements. They will enroll at Clark State’s Greene Center campus and be integrated into the Wright State community by utilizing university housing and facilities.

–Gateway to Recovery: Designed for students ineligible to continue at Wright State because of a lack of academic progress. With the help of Wright State and Clark State advisors, students will develop a program of study that will enable them to be readmitted to Wright State.

David H. Devier, vice president of academic and student affairs at Clark State, said the Gateway Program will eliminate barriers and promote continued academic success for Clark State students who want to continue their education at Wright State.

“Our graduates are well prepared for the course work at a four-year university, and the Gateway Program further strengthens the partnership between the two schools, which is an added benefit for all students,” Devier said.

To enter the Gateway Program, students must enroll in a Gateway course at Wright State to obtain services on the Wright State campus. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress at Clark State to remain in the program. Upon completing a minimum of 24 semester hours, the students will be guaranteed admission to Wright State, with their Clark State courses transferring and applied as appropriate toward degree requirements.