Delaware Tech celebrates 20 years of higher education partnerships

For 20 years, Delaware Technical Community College Owens Campus has been offering students in Sussex County the opportunity to continue their education beyond a two-year associate degree while attending classes at the Owens Campus.

It is all part of the Higher Education Partnership the Owens Campus started with Wilmington University, the University of Delaware and Delaware State University. The idea originally came about because there are no four-year colleges or universities in Sussex County. This forced students to drive to either Kent County or New Castle County or go out of state to enroll in a bachelor’s or master’s degree program.

“The goal was to make completing bachelor’s degrees and advanced degrees available in Sussex County,” said Dr. Ileana Smith, vice president and director for the Owens Campus. “It also affirmed that the college wanted to be a partner. We weren’t looking for a partner to build a four-year university. We were looking for someone to complement Delaware Tech.”

Sarah Burr is a student who has recently taken advantage of the Higher Education Partnership. Burr, 23, graduated from the Owens Campus in 2011 with a degree in elementary education. She had already enrolled and planned on attending Wilmington University to take advantage of the elementary education connected degree that was offered through the two institutions, which allowed Burr to enroll as a true junior at WU. Since she lives in Millsboro and works full time, continuing to attend college in Georgetown worked perfectly.

“I want to be a classroom teacher, so I needed a four-year degree,” Burr said. “Wilmington [University] fit my schedule and my life. It’s convenient; it’s right at the Owens Campus and it is all night classes.”

“It would’ve been more complicated and more expensive [to go someplace else],” Burr added. “I would either have had to move or pay more in gas.”

Smith said two elements helped the Higher Education Partnership grow in success - the Carter Partnership Center, which sits on the west side of the Owens Campus, and the connected degrees that have been developed with the partnership institutions.

Through connected degrees, students enroll in one program at Delaware Tech and graduate with an associate degree. From there they enroll in one of the partner schools as a true junior and complete their bachelor’s degree.

Burr said when she enrolled in Delaware Tech, one of the Owens Campus counselors asked her if she was interested in taking the elementary education connected degree through Wilmington University or Delaware State University. Depending on which one she chose, there were a few different classes she would have to take while attending Delaware Tech.

“[Connected degrees are] a pretty seamless transition,” Burr said. “Everything transfers. I didn’t have to worry about being behind at all.”

When the Higher Education Partnership first began, there were fewer than 30 degrees being offered. That has grown now to more than 100 connected degrees, including several options for master’s and doctoral degrees as well.

“The partners who are there now were there from day one,” Smith said. “And I think that’s something to be proud of, that we’ve maintained and strengthened these partnerships.”

All three partner institutions said the partnership program has been beneficial for their institution, as well as prospective students in Sussex County.

“To have three universities work together and in the same building is not only unique but very positive,” said Jackie Wilson, director of southern programs for the University of Delaware. “We feel it’s a privilege to be part of the program.”

“It has just changed the lives of so many people in the community over the years,” said Dana Abbott-Painter, site director for Wilmington University. “And something we always want to keep doing is continue to complement Delaware Tech’s programs.”

“Delaware State University is proud to be a part of the Delaware Tech Owens Campus partnership site,” said Linda Cooke, administrative secretary for Delaware State University. “We look forward to growing our programs and expanding opportunities for Delaware Tech graduates to complete bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Delaware State.”

As has been the case for the last 20 years, representatives from all four of the institutions involved in the partnership program said they expected the program to continue to evolve to meet the needs of Sussex County.

“The degrees have to stay current and have to evolve,” Smith said. “All of that will happen if the people who are there have strong relationships. If you have those relationships, you will always be prepared for what the future may bring.”