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By Kenya Godette

�鶹��ý has partnered with Tidewater Community College to introduce the  program: a new pathway to degree completion for students needing additional preparation for college.

�鶹��ý President, Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., and TCC President Marcia Conston, Ph.D., convened in the Koch Hall boardroom on May 15 to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that officially introduced the program. Monarch Ready offers students who do not meet �鶹��ý's admission requirements guaranteed admission into �鶹��ý upon completion of 24 credits with a cumulative 2.5 GPA at TCC. Students may then enroll at �鶹��ý and participate in the .

“Through the Monarch Ready partnership with Tidewater Community College, �鶹��ý is committed to building a pathway for students to succeed.”

- �鶹��ý President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D.

"The TCC-�鶹��ý Monarch Ready program optimizes our Hampton Roads advantage to serve and retain students in the region," said Daniela Cigularova, �鶹��ý’s assistant vice president for academic success. “High-touch student support services will be offered to Monarch Ready students from the first point of contact with our institutions. With this program’s co-advising model, we are setting a goal to apply every credit earned successfully to a credential at TCC and towards a degree completion at �鶹��ý. TCC and �鶹��ý are committed to the shared interest in student success. Our team is ready and excited to welcome the first Monarch Ready cohort."

The Monarch Ready program provides students with comprehensive, joint support services that ensure their seamless transfer from TCC to �鶹��ý. Services include:

• Specialized, personalized academic assistance via retention advisors and academic success mentors.
• Individualized co-advising with TCC and �鶹��ý advisors.
• Support resources with �鶹��ý’s Career Development Services, the Military Connection Centers, the Center for Military and Veterans Education and the Student Resource Empowerment Center.
• Access to on-campus programs like athletic events, Transfer Tuesdays, financial literacy workshops and faculty spotlights.
• Application fee waivers.

“Through the Monarch Ready partnership with Tidewater Community College, �鶹��ý is committed to building a pathway for students to succeed. This program will positively impact the social mobility of students across Hampton Roads,” President Hemphill said. “I commend the team at �鶹��ý and TCC for their diligence in creating a sustainable framework to help students achieve their goals.”

Monarch Ready is an invitation-only program. Students will receive information directly from TCC and �鶹��ý.

“The Monarch Ready Program is another excellent opportunity for �鶹��ý and Tidewater Community College to continue in partnerships,” said TCC President Marcia Conston, Ph.D. “This program will benefit many students who are seeking to enroll in college. I extend many thanks to Dr. Hemphill for his continued focus on student success.”

Also present at the MOU signing were �鶹��ý Provost Austin Agho, vice president for academic affairs and interim vice president for Student Engagement and Enrollment Services, Karen Campbell, Ph.D., vice president of student affairs (TCC), and �鶹��ý’s Cigularova.