New agreement allows for seamless transition from trade school to associate degree

PETOSKEY—Students who complete a certificate in a marine trade central to the Great Lakes State’s economy will now have an easier path to an associate degree, thanks to an agreement between Petoskey’s North Central Michigan College and Cedarville’s Great Lakes Boat Building School (GLBBS).

The newly inked articulation agreement allows GLBBS students who complete the school’s Comprehensive Boat Building program or its Marine Services Technology program to enter North Central with up to 39 credits toward an Associate of General Studies (AGS) degree.  The credits will satisfy the elective portion of the degree, which accounts for more than half of the 60-credit AGS. 

The same students will also have the assurance of being able to transfer their North Central credits to any college or university that’s part of the Michigan Transfer Agreement.

North Central Vice President of Academic Affairs Stephen Strom described the agreement as a “win-win” for North Central, GLBBS and, most importantly, students.

“This agreement allows North Central to partner with GLBBS, a regional and national leader in a trade that is critical to our state, while allowing students to continue on an educational pathway leading to the award of an associate degree,” Strom said.

GLBBS Director of Education Donna Fiebelkorn said the agreement provides another avenue for the school to support its students well past graduation.

"Part of the student development process here includes helping our students to see the

longer-term, wide range of options for their careers,” Fiebelkorn said.  “Often, those options involve additional post-secondary education, such as this associate degree that will be available to them at North Central Michigan College.”

North Central Vice President of Student Affairs Renee DeYoung and GLBBS President Nikki Storey said a North Central AGS degree will offer students greater career mobility and more opportunities for advancement.

“This articulation agreement with North Central is an additional and exciting opportunity for our students to enhance their education while making them even more employable,” Storey said.  “It’s aligned with our mission of preparing students for rewarding careers in the marine industry.”