WSSC & FSU Sign Articulation Agreements

Connections Agreement

West Shore Community College and Ferris State University have signed a partnership agreement enabling students who start their education at WSCC, with the intent to transfer to FSU, to hold a distinctive status with the university from the beginning.

The agreement, set to begin the fall semester of the 2019-2020 academic year, was signed on Thursday night, Feb. 28, by WSCC President Scott Ward and FSU President David Eisler in the Center Stage Theater on the WSCC campus.

“I’m excited about this new and unique partnership agreement. Each agreement we’re able to secure shows our students that universities in our state recognize and respect the work they’re doing at West Shore. We are committed to working together with our communities and other educational institutions to ensure students have the best possible pathway to success,” said Ward.

The partnership, called the FSU Connections Program, will provide WSCC students with academic advising and access to FSU libraries, recreational facilities and cultural, social and athletic events offered by the university. In addition, students will have multiple opportunities to participate in collaborative programming, transfer orientations, guest lectures by FSU faculty on the WSCC campus and joint advising and program referral services.

The FSU Connections Program will also provide a FSU student ID card entitling them to many privileges of enrollment including access to libraries, recreational facilities, athletic events, participation with student organizations, as well as access to cultural and social events offered by the university.

“What makes this program unique is the addition of multiple opportunities for visiting the FSU campus and participating in collaborative programming that will serve to establish early dual-institutional identification and facilitate the transfer process,” added Ward.

This means WSCC students will receive organized cohort-group orientations and tours at FSU in the first semester of study at WSCC, departments/majors orientations later in the second or third semester of study and transfer orientations in the final semester just prior to WSCC graduation.

“Ferris State University is delighted with the new Connections partnership with West Shore Community College,” stated Eisler. “Through this innovative relationship students can begin their college education at West Shore, be admitted to Ferris State University at the same time, and be prepared to seamlessly transfer to Ferris to earn their bachelor degree. I especially want to thank President Scott Ward. His innovative thinking and initiative helped make this program possible.”

Discussions will continue to offer additional pathways between the institutions.

For more information about the FSU Connections Program, contact the WSCC Office of Student Services at 231-843-5946.

Music and Entertainment Business Articulation Agreement

West Shore Community College President Scott Ward and Ferris State University President David Eisler signed an articulation agreement on Thursday evening, Feb. 28, which will enable students who begin their education at West Shore to complete a bachelor’s degree in music and entertainment business at Ferris State University.

The program will begin during the 2019-2020 academic year. West Shore students who satisfactorily complete an associate’s degree in general studies can transfer those credits to FSU and enter the program with junior-level status.

“The West Shore Community College Music Department and Performing Arts Series are prime examples of unique and exceptional programming models,” said Paul Kwant, assistant professor and music and entertainment business program director at FSU. “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with West Shore Community College.”

The mission of FSU’s music and entertainment business program is to develop future leaders and prepare them to excel in the arts, music and entertainment industries.          The bachelor of science degree combines a solid business background with an emphasis on the music and entertainment business. Key courses in the program include industry fundamentals, the music and entertainment business, public relations principles, marketing data analysis and marketing research. Previous formal training in music is not a prerequisite, but selected music courses are required to enhance students’ understanding of the role of the performing artist.

Students in the program complete at least two internships that focus on areas of the industry that interest them. Internships frequently take place in major metropolitan markets and regional markets for record labels, radio stations, manufacturers, agents and concert venues.

“This collaboration between WSCC and Ferris State University opens the door to so many possibilities for our students,” said Ted Malt, professor of music studies and director of performing arts at West Shore.

Students graduate from the program prepared to enter the global music and entertainment industry in careers from marketing, management and sales to advertising, public relations and promotion. As a result of their classroom studies and extensive hands-on experience, graduates are sought after by foremost employers in the industry. FSU’s program enjoys a relationship with Sweetwater Sound, the world’s largest online music products retailer, which provides students with internship and employment opportunities.

The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, a leading specialized accreditation association for business education supporting, celebrating and rewarding teaching excellence.

In addition to the agreement with FSU, WSCC has more than a dozen transfer agreements with colleges and universities throughout Michigan. For more information about the music and entertainment business program, contact the WSCC Music Department at 231-843-5776 or tdmalt@westshore.edu.