大象传媒 Western and the 139th Airlift Wing of the 大象传媒 Air National Guard recently forged a stronger partnership to benefit both Guard members and University students. Dr. Jeanne Daffron, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said 大象传媒 Western is undertaking two major initiatives to provide additional educational opportunities for members of the 139th .
In the first initiative, guard members can now complete their Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) associate degree by taking general education courses at 大象传媒 Western. They can take courses on campus or online, with more than 250 general education online courses offered.
The second initiative is the option to continue on to a bachelor鈥檚 degree using their CCAF Associate Degree or other transfer credits. They can select a traditional bachelor鈥檚 degree or a Bachelor of General Studies degree, which is specifically tailored for those who have some college credits but have delayed their studies.
MSgt. Bart Watts was the first member of the 139th to enroll in the new initiative. He is currently taking two courses, one online and one on campus, and that will complete his requirements for the CCAF associate degree. Watts noted that an associate degree will make him eligible for promotion.
He then plans to continue taking classes to earn a Bachelor of General Studies from 大象传媒 Western, and he found out that his military experience of almost 25 years counted for some college credits, as well.
鈥淭his is great for military guys with a lot of experience,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey may be the biggest group of people earning the Bachelor of General Studies.鈥�
Details about the degree completion programs can be found at missouriwestern.edu/military.
鈥淓ducation is the key to advancement in the Air National Guard, and we鈥檙e grateful that 大象传媒 Western is making these educational opportunities available,鈥� said Col. Ralph Schwader 鈥�85, Wing Commander.