New agreements will help graduates of the Applied Animal Science Technology Program at Surry Community College transfer credits and pursue bachelor’s degrees in agricultural education at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

The articulation agreements guarantee admission to N.C. A&T and the transfer of up to 37 credits for qualified graduates of SCC as they earn bachelor’s degrees in agricultural education with a concentration in either professional service or secondary education.

The bachelor’s degree in agricultural education at A&T with a concentration in agricultural professional service prepares students for careers in Cooperative Extension, government agencies, non-profit organizations or agribusiness. The concentration in secondary education readies students to teach agriscience in middle or high school.

“This agreement provides a pathway for Surry County and Yadkin County students to further their career goals of becoming agricultural leaders, equipped with the skill set to make an impact on the agricultural industry and society,” said Antoine J. Alston, Ph.D., associate dean for academic studies in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at A&T.  “We are truly excited to provide this educational opportunity for students to matriculate to the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at NC A&T.”

The Applied Animal Science Technology Program at SCC prepares individuals to select, breed, care for, process, and market livestock and small farm animals. Potential course work includes instruction in basic animal science, animal nutrition and animal health as applied to various species and breeds; design and operation of housing, feeding and processing facilities; and related issues of safety, applicable regulations, logistics and supply.

Surry Community College, a two-year, comprehensive college with an open-door admissions policy, was founded in 1964 and serves Surry and Yadkin counties. It annually serves 3,200 students seeking certificates, diplomas or degrees in a wide range of curriculum programming and 18,000 students in more than 1,500 classes through its Workforce, Technology, and Community Education Division.

Surry Community College President David Shockley, Ed.D., signed the agreements on behalf his college.

“Surry Community College is excited about this partnership with N.C. A&T and the opportunity it provides for students pursuing a career in the field of Animal Science,” said David Shockley, Ed.D., president of Surry Community College. “Our recent construction of the Sustainable Agriculture Building on the Dobson campus and this new college transfer agreement shows SCC’s continuing investment to educate agricultural professionals in our region.”

James Quick is the lead instructor of the Applied Animal Science program at SCC.

“As an alumnus of N.C. A&T, I am overjoyed at the opportunity for my students to transfer my course credits to A&T to further expand their knowledge of agriculture. This partnership and ones like it are vital to ensure we are producing innovative ag-professionals who will take part in providing food, clothing and shelter to the continuously growing population,” Quick said.

The agreements, which have been covered by the Triad Business Journal, have been signed by Shockley and N.C. A&T Chancellor Harold L. Martin, Sr., Ph.D.