$5 million award for higher education partnership

University of Central Florida President John C. Hitt will join several Florida College System presidents and state education leaders Thursday, May 26, in celebrating a longstanding partnership that benefits tens of thousands of students annually.

The educators will commemorate the state’s investment in 2+2 Pathways to Success, a program that provides opportunities for students who complete their AA degrees at a Florida community or state college to be admitted to a state university.

More than 30 percent of the state’s students who earn associate’s degrees and transfer to a public, state university in Florida choose UCF. Nearly 5,600 of UCF’s 5,900 new transfer students last fall came from a Florida state college or community college.

“Expanding access to the life-changing opportunities of higher education is a priority for UCF, even during tough economic times,” Hitt said. “We strive to provide a smooth transition between institutions so that students may earn their degrees in a convenient and affordable way.”

A total of $2.5 million will be divided among eight State University System institutions, and UCF will receive more than $1.2 million of that amount. Another $2.5 million will be awarded to 18 institutions that are part of The Florida College System.

Hitt will accept a ceremonial check from The Florida College System Chancellor Will Holcombe at the beginning of the university’s Board of Trustees meeting Thursday. The check presentation will be at 1 p.m. in the university’s Live Oak Room.

“The purpose of the 2+2 Pathways to Success program provides a geographically accessible and economical way for students to attend their university of choice on a campus of their local Florida College,” Holcombe said. “The collaboration between our colleges and their university partners offers these trend-setting programs to benefit the many cost-conscious students who need to stay close to home for a variety of reasons. ”