Press release provided by Heidelberg University and Terra State Community College TIFFIN, OHIO - December 8, 2017 – Heidelberg University and Terra State Community College are partnering to develop a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program that will address the rising market need for more highly skilled nurses entering the healthcare profession. Today, the two institutions took a step toward finalizing the program when they signed a 1+2+1 articulation agreement on Heidelberg’s campus.  When the new program is launched, nursing students would begin with one year of study at Heidelberg, proceed with two years of nursing study at Terra State and finish their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree with a year of coursework at Heidelberg. Academic leaders from Terra State and Heidelberg have been working to establish the groundwork for the new program.  The strengths of both institutions will be leveraged for the benefit of nursing students, who will take advantage of two years of tuition costs set by each institution. This blended model will reduce the overall educational expense for students interested in a BSN degree. “We at Terra State Community College are so pleased to be partnering with Heidelberg University to expand educational offerings and opportunities to those interested in the nursing profession,” said Terra State President Dr. Jerome Webster. “Our faculty and staff, and especially our nursing faculty, are pleased to pledge our support to this initiative.” Terra State is committed to working with Heidelberg “for the educational delivery of a high-quality, licensed, state-accredited and nationally accredited Registered Nurse program to Heidelberg students,” he said. Noting that the two institutions’ share a core value to place students at the center of the learning experience, Webster added, “Our partnership with Heidelberg only strengthens our transformational journey and we are thrilled to join in this collaborative and innovative partnership with such an outstanding institution.” President Robert H. Huntington echoed those sentiments.  “Heidelberg is especially thrilled to craft this educational partnership with Terra State Community College in order to give a top-quality and affordable new professional program to students interested in a nursing career,” he said. Huntington added that the new nursing program is the perfect intersection of the liberal arts and professional education, which has been at Heidelberg’s core since its founding. “Now is the time,” Huntington said.  “Together, we have developed an innovative learning opportunity to make the beginning, middle and end of this program very successful.  This will be a wonderful four-year experience for our students.” In addition to both presidents, Dr. Jennifer Spielvogel, vice president for Academic Affairs at Terra State, and Dr. Beth Schwartz, vice president for Academic Affairs and provost at Heidelberg, participated in the signing ceremony.  Both thanked their faculty members who have played an important role in developing the new BSN program. “This will be a great way to serve students at both institutions and also serve the healthcare needs of the community,” Schwartz said. Also on hand for the signing were: Terra State representatives Susan Kajfasz, associate professor of nursing; Holly Penhos, director of nursing; and Amy Anway, dean of Allied Health, Nursing and Human Services; and Heidelberg representatives Dr. Bryan Smith, dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Allied Health Sciences; Dr. Pam Faber, professor and chair of the Biological and Environmental Sciences Department; Ryan Musgrave, assistant professor and director of athletic training; Doug Kellar, vice president for Enrollment Management; and Phil Ness, vice president for University Advancement and Marketing. In the coming weeks and months, work will continue to finalize the program in anticipation of a formal announcement about its launching in 2018 (pending review by the Higher Learning Commission).  The expectation of both institutions is that students will be able to enroll in the new program beginning in the fall of 2018.