(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - August 12, 2016) - - - Columbia State Community College and Maury County Public Schools recently signed an articulation agreement that will allow Maury County high school students to take college-level courses in Advanced Integrated Industrial Technology for dual-credit.

"This could be a transformative path for Maury County students because it will be possible, after we start this process, that students could complete their high school and college degree in the same semester," said Dr. Dearl Lampley, Columbia State dean of science, technology and mathematics. "What makes this agreement even more special is that the training will lead to a career in an area that has high demand and pays well. So we are extremely excited about this."

The agreement, signed by Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president and Dr. Chris Marczak, MCPS director of schools, will allow students to gain college credit in AiiT while being enrolled in the two-phase mechatronics program in high school. Essentially, a student could graduate with a high school diploma and an associate degree in the same semester if they pass the exit exam at the closing of each phase. Students also have the option to graduate with a technical certificate in lieu of an associate degree.

"I think it's a wonderful opportunity for students and I think it's the beginning of what we will see for many other programs to come," Smith said.

Students who participate in the AiiT program will be trained in multiple skills and will be prepared to go to into a multitude of industries that have high demand and pay well.

"The product of this [agreement] is a student that can go to the workforce," said Lori Brown, MCPS director of career and technical education.

All teachers are secured for both phases of the program, which is available for all Maury County high school students.

"The community said that they wanted better outcomes for kids and that's what we're doing," Marczak said. "We're ecstatic to be a part of this process."


Photo Caption: (Seated left to right) Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president and Dr. Chris Marczak, MCPS director of schools (Standing left to right) Dr. Dearl Lampley, Columbia State dean of science, technology and mathematics; Mehran Mostaijir, Columbia State AiiT program director; Lori Brown, MCPS Career and Technical Education supervisor; and Dr. Margaret D. Smith, Columbia State executive vice president-provost.


Photo Caption: Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president and Dr. Chris Marczak, MCPS director of schools sign off on AiiT articulation agreement.

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee's first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, one of the largest higher education systems in the nation. For more information, please visit www.ColumbiaState.edu.

Tennessee's Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. We offer associate degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tncommunitycolleges.org.

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