By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN — Henry Ford College and Eastern Michigan University signed an agreement to establish a new university center on HFC’s main campus in Dearborn.
The partnership will allow HFC students to finish their associate’s degree at HFC and then complete their undergraduate degree from EMU all while staying at HFC’s campus.
The agreement was signed by HFC President Stan Jensen and Kim Schatzel, interim president, provost and executive vice president for EMU July 29 at HFC’s University Center.
“I knew that EMU would be a great university to partner with because their program offerings match very well with our programs,” Jensen said. “EMU’s approach on education also matches our philosophy.”
The elementary education, social work and healthcare administration programs will be the first three programs offered to students as part of the partnership.
Benefits of the partnership will include EMU undergraduate and graduate classes offered at HFC; availability of evening, weekend and hybrid classes; personalized advising; and transfer-friendly policies and guarantees.
“EMU is really enthusiastic to be building a partnership with HFC,” Schatzel said. “Henry Ford College is one of the most prolific transfer schools we work with.”
HFC is a comprehensive public community college serving about 18,000 students in southeast Michigan and offers more than 100 associate degree career and university transfer programs.
EMU serves more than 22,000 students who are pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions.
“The new university center is great because we get to be involved with the student’s education from start to end,” Schatzel said.
HFC is already in partnership with Siena Heights University and Madonna University for university centers on HFC campus.
“EMU is our third university center partnership and we hope to have at least three more in the future,” Jensen said.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)