BAY MINETTE, Alabama — For more than 50 years, the University of South Alabama in Mobile and Faulkner State Community College in Baldwin County have worked hand-in-hand partnering to bring higher education across the region.

Earlier this year, the two institutions launched a program that should result in more graduates transferring from the two-year to the four-year institution.

The program, called “Pathway USA” is designed to increase opportunities for success for college students on the Gulf Coast and Christopher Lynch, associate vice president of Enrollment Services at USA, one of the main organizers of the program, said so far it has succeeded well beyond their expectations.

“When we first started this program we said that if we could get 50 students signed up in the first year we would consider the program a success,” Lynch said.

So far the program, which also includes students from Bishop State Community College in Mobile and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, has enrolled 270 students, Lynch said.

“By far the bulk of those students, about 130, have come from Faulkner State,” he said, “and we want to continue to grow the program in order to provide those students with the tools they need for success in academics and beyond.”

According to its website, faulknerstate.edu, Faulkner State includes about 5,000 students across three campuses, multiple instructional sites and via distance education, offering programs such as veterinary technology, animation and visual effects and industrial maintenance.

“This is a great win for our students who wish to continue their education at USA,” said FSCC President Gary Branch when the two institutions got together for a press conference in January. “I’m looking forward to the positive impact Pathway USA will have on Faulkner State Community College and our region.”

The University of South Alabama provides more than 16,000 students with programs in business, the liberal arts, education, engineering, computing, the sciences and health care. USA provides small class sizes and hands-on research opportunities in 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs offered through nine academic colleges and schools. USA offers advanced and innovative health care through the USA Health System.

South Alabama President Tony Waldrop said the partnership will strengthen an already strong relationship between the two institutions.

“With this partnership there is no telling what we can accomplish and what we can get done,” Waldrop said.

Waldrop said the idea evolved over a breakfast meeting where officials from the two institutions were sharing ideas of how to make their relationship stronger.

“The University of South Alabama is committed to making a college education more affordable and accessible,” Waldrop said. “We believe Pathway USA will be a very effective means to achieve that and it is exciting that Faulkner State shares our commitment.”

Pathway USA is geared toward students who are not admitted at South as well as students who may simply prefer to begin their college education at Faulkner State. These students may choose to have a copy of their USA application and supporting documents forwarded to Faulkner State for admission consideration. Students already attending Faulkner State may also apply for Pathway USA. A unique application will be created and available for Faulkner State students to complete and submit.

Students who enter the Pathway USA program will have unique benefits, such as:

• Guaranteed admission to USA upon successful completion (cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or higher) of the associate’s degree.

• A USA academic advisor assigned to them who will meet students at Faulkner State and provide individual guidance on course selection and map out degree plans.

• Reverse Transfer agreements that will allow Faulkner State students who transfer to South without an associate’s degree to complete that degree after entering USA.

• Special discounts through USA’s Jaguar Productions.

• Complimentary admission to South Alabama athletic events.

The program will be launched beginning with the 2016 fall semester and will be open to all students.

Persons wanting additional information on Pathway USA at the University of South Alabama are urged to contact USA’s Enrollment Services office at 251-460-6494 or email enrollmentservices@southalabama.edu.

For more information about Faulkner State Community College visit faulknerstate.edu. For more information on the University of South Alabama visit southalabama.edu.