Articulation Plan Signed for Transferring Theatre Students
JONESBORO – Arkansas State University and Arkansas State University-Beebe have announced a new 2 + 2 articulation agreement for theatre students at Beebe who transfer to Jonesboro.
Both campuses will benefit from the agreement, which was signed during a brief ceremony at ASU-Beebe.
"We are excited to partner with ASU-Beebe on this new articulation agreement. ASU-Beebe has a vibrant, growing theatre program that operates very much like our own program on the Jonesboro campus," stated Marc Williams, chair of A-State's Department of Theatre. "ASU-Beebe graduates will be able to transfer here as juniors and jump right into upper-level coursework, ready to graduate in two years.
Ryan Gibbons, instructor in communications and theatre at ASU-Beebe, shared Williams' enthusiasm about the new plan.
"The 2 + 2 is essential for our students because we need a place for them to transition seamlessly from the junior college level to the four-year university," Gibbons said, noting the programs' similarity will help transferring students feel at home at A-State. "I think it's a perfect place for our students to be able to transfer."
Williams added, "We happen to view undergraduate theatre training in the same way, so our curricula really line up beautifully. I know these students are excited about the experiential opportunities awaiting them at A-State, and we’re certainly excited to help them prepare for a great career."
Emphasizing the value of the agreement, Dr. Jennifer Methvin, chancellor at ASU-Beebe, said, "We have some fabulous theatre majors and they need options for transfer. This is going to be an exceptional option."
Dr. Kelly Damphousse, A-State chancellor, added the agreement will help both ASU-Beebe and A-State recruit excellent students, and the transferring students will find other advantages as well.
"We have a program for all the graduates of our sister ASU System schools where, when they come to Jonesboro, they actually pay the same or less amount for tuition than they have been paying for the first two years," he continued.
To a great extent, both theatre programs have been emphasizing the same skills, Williams explained, as he discussed foundations in costume construction, stage technology and design principles.
Chancellor Methvin added, "To make an articulation agreement with A-State is always the best-case scenario. I am so excited about the synergy we have within the ASU System."
# # #
