Photo provided to the Times Observer The Northern Pennsylvania Regional College and Commonwealth University have entered into a transfer agreement that will expand opportunities for NPRC students. Pictured are, from left, NPRC Board of Trustees Chair, Kate Brock; NPRC Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, Melinda Saunders; NPRC President Susan Snelick; Commonwealth University Provost, Dr. Diana Rogers-Adkinson; Commonwealth University Vice President of Enrollment Management, Stephen Lee and NPRC Board of Trustees member and former NPRC Chief of Staff, Duane Vicini.

Northern Pennsylvania Regional College students can now be guaranteed transfer into one of the new merged state universities.

The agreement is with Commonwealth University, formed by the merger of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield universities.

According to NPRC, the agreement “provides transferability of many NPRC credits to the integrated universities of Commonwealth University.

“It also includes guaranteed transfer opportunities for specific NPRC associate degrees directly into four CU bachelor’s degree programs with no loss of credit for qualifying students.

That will include NPRC’s associate’s degree in liberal studies transferring into CU’s interdisciplinary studies program; NPRC’s associate’s degree in social sciences into CU’s social work program; NPRC’s associate’s degree in business administration into CU’s business administration program and NPRC’s associate’s degree in criminal justice into CU’s criminal justice program.

“We celebrate a monumental time in the life of NPRC,” NPRC President Susan Snelick said. “The official signing of the academic agreement with the Commonwealth University is the culmination of hard work and dedication of so many.

“This agreement not only provides opportunities and pathways for our students to continue their educational journey, but also exemplifies the quality of our education offerings. This recognition by the Commonwealth University is not taken lightly and is one of many steps in NPRC’s long-term growth. We look forward to our partnership with Commonwealth University.”

The agreement will become effective this fall.

Commonwealth University will be awarding scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 for NPRC students with a minimum of 30 credits and varying GPA requirements.

“We are delighted to collaborate with our colleagues at Northern Pennsylvania Regional College to provide students from NPRC seamless matriculation to Commonwealth University and provide those students with a guaranteed renewable transfer scholarship,” Commonwealth University President Bashar Hanna explained.

“True to our mission of educating the students of Pennsylvania and beyond, this agreement is another example of strong partnership in action.”