Radford, SWCC enter honors transfer agreement

Representatives from Radford University and Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) signed a transfer agreement on Nov. 3 that will guarantee admission into Radford’s prestigious Honors College for qualified SWCC honors students.

Radford University President Bret Danilowicz and SWCC President Tommy Wright applied their signatures to the agreement ceremony during a Friday afternoon ceremony in the Hovis Board Room in Martin Hall on the Radford campus. Joining the presidents were Radford Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Bethany Usher, Radford Honors College Director Niels Christensen and SWCC interim Associate Dean April Quesenberry.

“At Radford University, we strongly believe in creating opportunities for students from Virginia’s community colleges, and we are proud to partner with Southwest Virginia Community College and its Honors College,” Danilowicz said. “This new agreement allows high-achieving students to find a perfect fit for their educational and career goals within one of Radford’s richest and fastest-growing learning environments.”

The transfer agreement provides SWCC associate degree graduates with an advanced educational opportunity in Radford’s Honors College. Eligibility is open to SWCC students who complete credit hours within the honors core curriculum, conduct a capstone research project, participate in community service and earn a 3.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) at SWCC and any other institution.

Danilowicz touted the university’s recent Radford Tuition Promise announcement during the agreement signing.

“The unique experiences of the Honors College are more accessible than ever, as transfer students who are Virginia residents can now benefit from the Radford Tuition Promise, which covers tuition costs for those with household incomes of $100,000 or less.”

As the ceremony was happening, nine SWCC students were touring the Radford campus, learning more about the Honors College and other educational opportunities available at the university. Many of those are in education programs at SWCC. “Their tour guide today is an education major, so they’ve really latched on to her,” said Quesenberry, who worked with Christensen to initiate the agreement.

Before signing the agreement, Wright said, “Our students put a lot into their work and into their desire to reach new heights, and this opportunity brings that desire one step closer.”

Students who transfer to Radford’s Honors College will enjoy the full benefits of participation in an academic program and living-learning community (LLC) defined by intellectual curiosity and active educational engagement.

Individuals who complete the 27-credit hour honors curriculum graduate as Highlander Honors Scholars, the highest academic distinction for Radford undergraduates. Those who complete the 15-credit honors curriculum graduate with the Highlander Honors Distinction. Both achievements appear on the student’s diploma and include special regalia at graduation.

“The agreement allows for the most intellectually curious and engaged to come to campus, be involved in our community and be involved in undergraduate research, which is a main focus of what we do here at Radford,” Usher said before the ceremony. “Those students who will transfer from Southwest Virginia Community College to Radford will make our university stronger.”

Along with academic programming, Honors College students have a dedicated residence hall in Floyd Hall and uniquely tailored scholarly and social opportunities within the LLC. In addition, Honors College students gain access to advising from the college’s faculty fellows and receive priority course registration.

“There is an incredible number of students coming out of Southwest Virginia, and so many of them are impressive inside and outside the classroom,” said Christensen. “We are extremely excited to have them enroll at Radford and continue the next steps along their successful journeys.”