Success story: Direct Connect aims to double NMC transfers to GVSU’s Allied Health degree

September 19, 2024

NMC President Nick Nissley and GVSU president Philomena Mantella sign the Direct Connect agreement. (Download a high-resolution version here.)

With health care occupations dominating Michigan’s latest Hot 50 job outlook, NMC’s new Direct Connect partnership with Grand Valley State University’s Allied Health Sciences bachelor’s degree creates an opportune, affordable pathway to careers with the strongest growth outlook.

Starting this fall, Direct Connect aims to double the number of NMC students transferring to GVSU, a longtime University Center partner, by guaranteeing admission to qualifying students. Credits earned toward their NMC associate degree count as freshman and sophomore year credits at GVSU.

“They’re earning the first half of their bachelor’s degree at an NMC price,” said NMC Director of Student Success & Retention Lindsey Dickinson.

Students concurrently enroll in GVSU and NMC classes their third semester, getting a jump start on their bachelor’s, then complete the junior and senior level GVSU curriculum entirely in Traverse City. The Allied Health Sciences bachelor’s degree is designed to meet the needs of health professionals from medical social workers to physical therapists to physician assistants.

All of those jobs are among Michigan’s latest Hot 50 job outlook, just released this week by the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Updated every other year, the forecast shows the healthcare sector has the strongest job outlook of any In Michigan through 2032. Most healthcare jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree, however, which NMC students must transfer to earn. NMC already offers a transfer path to a bachelor’s of nursing degree. Direct Connect expands that to other health care occupations.

“Students don’t always understand the transfer process,” said NMC advisor Katie Sommer-Ford. “We want them to know right from the start that they can go to Grand Valley.”

Beyond guaranteed admission and a more affordable path to a bachelor’s, Direct Connect will make transfer smoother through co-advising from both NMC and GVSU.

“It is a pioneering initiative in the region that creates a clear, streamlined pathway for NMC students to continue their education at GVSU,” said Shannon Owen, GVSU's Director of the Northern Region. “We believe this program will help remove barriers in the transfer process and accelerate students' entry into the workforce.”

Next year, NMC plans to expand the Direct Connect process to other University Center partner schools Davenport University, Ferris State University and Central Michigan University.