Students with associate degrees from Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC) can now transition smoothly into business management or social work majors at Ferrum College and earn bachelor’s degrees within two years. Eligible students will also qualify for tuition benefits from the Panther Promise program.
These agreements focus on Ferrum’s Bachelor of Science in business administration: sports management and the Bachelor of Social Work degree. Ferrum already accepts associate of arts and associate of science graduates from all Virginia community colleges with access to the Ferrum Promise for most majors at Ferrum. Since 2019, the Ferrum Promise has ensured automatic completion of general education requirements, allowing the students to focus on coursework in their major area of interest and finish bachelor’s degrees in two years or Ferrum College covers the remaining cost
Those who meet the established criteria will also be eligible for the Panther Promise, which offers free tuition to qualifying Virginia residential students. Ferrum lies within the service area of P&HCC, and its graduates are among Ferrum College’s most successful students and graduates, according to Dr. Jason Powell, Ferrum’s associate vice president for academic affairs. Initiatives like the Panther Promise and Ferrum Promise position transfer students for success while also fueling the economic growth of the region.
“We are honored to partner with our colleagues at Ferrum – one of our students’ top transfer institutions–to ensure that the pathways for students who are working toward careers in social work and sports management are available in our area,” said P&HCC President Greg Hodges. “The opportunity to complete a four-year degree this close to home and at potentially no cost to the student will certainly equip them for a future of success in their area of interest.”
“The partnership between Ferrum College and Patrick & Henry Community College marks a transformative step in expanding educational access and deepening the bonds within our communities,” said Ferrum College President Mirta Martin. “By uniting our strengths, we are creating pathways that empower students to achieve their dreams, while forging connections that will uplift our entire region. Together, we are not only shaping the future of education but also building a brighter, stronger community for generations to come.”
Hodges and Martin signed the agreements on the P&HCC campus on August 29, with other college officials and students present. The memoranda of understanding they signed affirm “the shared goal of fostering educational collaboration and enhancing academic opportunities for students.”
Learn more about the Ferrum Promise at https://www.ferrum.edu/admissions-aid/transfer-students/. Learn more about the Panther Promise at https://www.ferrum.edu/admissions-aid/cost-and-aid/tuition-and-fees.
