The presidents of Middle Tennessee State University and Northeast State Community College signed agreements to ease the transition for students seeking to transfer from the community college to the university.

MTSU's Dr. Sidney A. McPhee and Northeast State's Dr. Janice Gilliam authorized three agreements that create dual admissions and reverse transfer options between the community college -- with a main campus in Blountville, Tennessee, and four satellite campuses -- and MTSU, located in Murfreesboro.

The agreement signing occurred at The Millennium Center in Johnson City, where the second leg of the six-city True Blue Tour was held later for prospective students and their guests.

"These agreements point to the need for higher education institutions to work together more closely to help more Tennesseans earn a college degree," said McPhee. "This partnership with Northeast State is part of MTSU's ongoing efforts to remove barriers for students seeking their degrees and to support the state's goal of producing a more educated workforce."

"We are delighted to have this opportunity to work with Middle Tennessee State University," Gilliam said. "This agreement is a great opportunity for students to establish a relationship with both Northeast State and MTSU, which we believe will enhance their academic experience and help them achieve their goal of college completion."

The agreements allow Northeast State students to interact with MTSU advisers and have access to faculty and programs within their proposed majors. Students completing an associate degree will be granted access to register early for university classes.

Another element of the agreements is reverse transfer.

A student completing MTSU courses can transfer those credits back to Northeast State to help meet requirements for an associate degree. To learn more, students should email transfer@mtsu.edu or visit http://www.mtsu.edu/apply.

MTSU, the largest and oldest institution in the Tennessee Board of Regent's system, also has established dual-admission programs with Nashville State, Chattanooga State, Dyersburg State, Motlow State, Jackson State and Roane State community colleges.

Northeast State is a two-year TBR college providing university parallel programs designed for students desiring to transfer to another college or university, career programs for students planning to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation and continuing education and community service programs for professional growth and personal enrichment to citizens from five counties. The school has campuses in Blountville, Elizabethton, Gray, Kingsport and one soon to open in Johnson City.