The Voice - Student Newspaper

Award winning 2+2 Program perfect for continuing students

For students everywhere, two-plus-two equals four.

However, for Elizabeth Elkes-Johnson and a handful of classmates at Glendale Community College, the equation takes on deeper meaning. That's because the numbers signify a chance to earn a bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University without ever leaving the Glendale campus.

In other words, two years of junior-college studies plus two years of instruction from professors assigned by NAU to GCC equal a four-year university degree.

Currently, the bachelor of science degrees are offered in speech communications and elementary education, an award-winning idea that was named this month as the 2009 GCC Innovation of the Year, topping four other nominees for the campus honor.

"The program has been a godsend," said Elkes-Johnson, 41, a busy mother of four-children who also holds down a full-time job. "It will allow me to earn a bachelor's degree in communications while moving forward with my other responsibilities."

Elkes-Johnson said that after starting classes at GCC, it became apparent that a four-year degree would offer greater career opportunities that a two-year degree.

"This program has given me a great sense of community," she said. "Once I get my degree, I will feel a definite need to give something back to the community."

The program was launched at GCC in 2006, and Elkes-Johnson is one of 22 communications and elementary-education students who are expected to earn their degrees later this spring. Currently, 66 students are enrolled in both programs. Norma Peru-Ray, an NAU worker who is assigned as the program coordinator at GCC, said that possible expansion of program to other academic disciplines currently is on hold because of the budget crunch facing Arizona universities.

"Students say one benefit is the one-on-one contact the two-plus-two program provides them with their teachers," Peru-Ray said. "They also like having an advisor they can just pop in and see at any time."

The educational opportunity is "an exciting thing," but many GCC students probably are not aware of it, said Marie Ohler-Baker, an NAU communications professor who has been with the campus regimen since its inception three years ago.

"I don't think the program is as well marketed as it could be," Ohler-Baker said. "So I think mostly it's just a matter of getting the word out about it."

She said two-plus-two gives students a unique opportunity to be part of a small campus community that really cares about them and their education.

"The students are not just a number," Ohler-Baker said. "I notice when some of them are not in class. I ask them why they were not there, so I get to work with them and watch them grow. The GCC faculty and advisers are very supportive. They kind of hand-pick students they think will do well in the program and help to mentor them."

Pam Joraanstad, assistant chairman of the Communication Department at GCC, said the campus officials are very supportive of the program, as evidenced by the Innovation of the Year award handed out this month, which is considered a big honor.

"The award was very gratifying, because so many people have labored so hard and so cooperatively to develop this program," Joraanstad said. "It allows students to earn four-year degrees right here at GCC, thus validating all of the hard work."

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