UMC and NCTC Sign Articulation Agreement for B.M.M.
UMC and Northland Community and Technical College (NCTC) in Thief River Falls signed an innovative cooperative articulation agreement on Thursday, October 24, on the NCTC campus. At a special ceremony, NCTC President Orley Gunderson and UMC Chancellor Don Sargeant signed the agreement. Both officials agreed the document and the program it puts in place result in a "win-win" situation for each college and for the region as a whole.
The agreement will facilitate credit transfer and provide a smooth transition from NCTC’s related Manufacturing A.S. degree and certificate programs to the UMC Bachelor of Manufacturing Management (B.M.M.) degree program. Current students, graduates, and faculty of NCTC manufacturing programs will be eligible for credit evaluation under the terms of this agreement.
UMC’s B.M.M. program is designed to meet the needs of those already in the workplace and of two-year graduates who want to continue their education at the Bachelor’s level. The curriculum includes management, technology, and some job-specific courses customized to learner needs.
The B.M.M. is the result of considerable discussion with employers and industry professionals. It is designed for working adults in industrial and business fields who have experience in manufacturing or other business settings. It is specifically tailored to those individuals for whom baccalaureate level management and technology skills will pay dividends in the workplace. The program recognizes the value of previous college coursework, specialized training, and life experience, adding a combination of technological and business skills to prepare graduates for future opportunities.
The agreement with NCTC marks the latest chapter in a history of UMC collaborative efforts with this and other programs. In May of 2002 UMC celebrated a University of Minnesota System milestone with the granting of the B.M.M. degree to the first five graduates of the program offered on-site at Marvin Windows and Doors in Warroad. UMC officials are also working to bring the B.M.M. degree program to other parts of the state.
Chris Robberts, UMC’s program manager for the B.M.M. degree, is excited about the development of his program and the chance to work with NCTC. He says, “The University of Minnesota serves the people of the state, who, as taxpayers, share in its ownership. It benefits all when we collaborate with other colleges, utilizing the strengths of each organization and making programs available to as many people as possible.”
Posted 10/25/2002
Contact: Andrew Svec,
218-281-8435