An agreement between Troy University and Enterprise State Community College will provide students with a clear pathway to a degree in Early Childhood Education.

The new agreement, which was presented during a ceremony earlier this month on the Troy Campus, allows Enterprise State students to transfer 18 credit hours to TROY in the Early Childhood Education program, providing them with a head start in their teaching field courses.

Dr. Fred Figliano, Interim Dean of TROY’s College of Education, said collaboration with partners such as Enterprise State Community College, Pike County Schools and Troy City Schools helps to further his college’s mission of preparing quality teachers for the classroom.

“TROY was founded in 1887 as Troy Normal School with the mission of preparing teachers. TROY has since expanded in many different areas, but that core value has never changed. Within the College of Education, we take that very seriously,” Dr. Figliano said. “Our goal is to put out the best teachers we possibly can, and we feel like partnerships like this one just help to move that mission further ahead.”

Dr. Joe Johnson, Chair of Department of Teacher Education, said while the agreement ensures a smooth transition for Enterprise State students wishing to major in Early Childhood Education, it also has potential impacts beyond the two institutions.

“TROY is pleased to partner with ESCC in a manner that supports transfer students with program-specific courses, while also supporting Alabama’s quest to have the best quality Pre-K education opportunities for the state’s youngest learners,” Dr. Johnson said. “The other part of the program is that we realize there is some dual enrollment going on from Pike County Schools and Troy City Schools and that dual enrollment is either through TROY or through Enterprise State Community College, so it helps them as well. It is kind of a multifaceted program and helps a lot of different groups.”

Enterprise State Community College President Danny Long said this collaborative effort is helping to create additional pathways that ultimately benefit the students.

“It is all about creating alternative pathways, bringing the education to the student,” Long said. “There is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Community colleges can provide affordable options and multiple pathways toward careers and bachelor’s degrees. Our mission is ultimately to serve our students and the more that we can do to fuel the pipeline for future educators, I think it is a win-win for everybody.”

Long said he was grateful for the longstanding relationships Enterprise State has enjoyed with TROY and the Pike County and Troy City school systems.

“This agreement is an example of our efforts to be creative and innovative in finding pathways to encourage more people to go into what I think is the most rewarding and important career field in our country,” Long said.  “There are a lot of people who have worked very hard to get to this point today, and I want to thank everyone for their cooperation and collaboration on an agreement that I believe will have lasting impact.”

In addition to signing the agreement, one representative from Troy City Schools and two from Pike County Schools signed Early Childhood Education apprenticeship agreements. Frances Spann, a Pre-K Auxiliary Apprentice at Troy Elementary School, Shatasha Leverette, a Pre-K Lead Apprentice at Pike County Elementary, and Kathryn Williamson, Pre-K Auxiliary Apprentice at Banks School, were all recognized during the ceremony.