Nicholls and L.E. Fletcher Technical Community College are working to create a system that will allow students to earn the credits they may need from either college for their degree. The collaborate effort is a result of state budget cuts, the region’s workforce needs and the push from law-makers to consolidate certain areas of two- and four-year schools.

Larry Howell, associate provost, said this collaboration will give students a smoother transition in many areas between Nicholls and Fletcher.

For example, some students may decide to begin their secondary education careers at a community college to get their grades up or meet requirement standards then transfer to a four-year institution.

“We are creating a matrix where students from Fletcher can take their first 60 hours at Fletcher and the next 60 hours at Nicholls,” Howell said.

Howell also said some of the associate degree programs no longer offered at Nicholls, such as in criminal justice and cardiopulmonary care, will be transitioned to Fletcher.

“We are trying to offer the region the educational opportunities that it needs,” Howell said. “Students who want a certain associate’s degree will still be able to get that. It doesn’t matter if it comes from a technical, two-year or four-year college.”

Another feature of the effort between the two schools is the ability to enroll in one and complete certain required classes that might not be offered at the other.

“If you need to take an English or math, you can cross-enroll seamlessly at Fletcher but be taught on the Nicholls campus,” Howell said. “This way, students would not be as anxious to move to a four-year university.”

A number of developmental courses no longer offered at Nicholls are now available at Fletcher and can be transferred to Nicholls.

“Nicholls will be out of the developmental business,” Howell said. “Which a four-year university should be.”

Howell said a number of other factors are making the integration effort more efficient as well.

“Fletcher is using office space for their faculty here,” Howell said. “There is also a Fletcher parking decal that we honor.”

Howell said the excellent work relationship between the heads of these institutions is a major contribution to the success of this partnership.

“What has made this work is Dr. Hulbert and Chancellor Lavigne,” Howell said. “They have the personalities to make this work.”

Stephen Hulbert, Nicholls president, said he is proud the partnership between Nicholls and Fletcher will serve a four-parish region of the state.

Travis Lavigne, Fletcher’s Chancellor, said Fletcher and Nicholls have developed a model relationship focused on providing the citizens of south central Louisiana with a quality education.

Howell said this effort is part of a plan to build up the community college system across the state because in most southern states, more than half of all students start in a two-year college.

This collaboration will also help students that start in a two-year college be better prepared when they enter the University, which will in turn improve the graduation rate, Howell said.

“It will take time and money to do it,” Howell said. “Four-year institutions will be smaller but stronger.