Lane Community College forms partners with Pacific University

Pacific University’s Eugene campus will move onto the Lane Community College (LLC) campus as part of a recently established partnership that, “will offer students in the southern Willamette Valley expanded access to higher education and career preparation,” according to a press release from Pacific on Oct. 25. 

The partnership will result in a combination of resource sharing from both institutions as well as direct pathways from community college to bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees and career licensure. 

Pacific’s Eugene campus, which offers both bachelor’s and master’s teaching programs in addition to a master of social work program, recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. It will now make the timely move into the Center for Meeting and Learning on LCC’s main campus in July 2020. 

Lane students will have the opportunity to follow a “seamless pathway,” moving from Lane’s associate degree programs to Pacific’s bachelor’s programs. For example, students wishing to pursue a teaching career can now do so through Pacific’s undergraduate-level elementary teacher licensure and ESOL endorsement program. Accordingly, Pacific students will now have access to LCC campus services like dining and fitness facilities, the library and athletics events among other perks.

“Pacific University and Lane Community College have very similar missions and a shared focus on promoting student success in a diverse, sustainable, and supportive environment,” said President Hallick. “This partnership will mean that more people in the Lane County area will be able to access Pacific’s personal, nurturing learning environment and find pathways to success and meaningful careers.”

Both LCC President Margaret Hamilton and Pacific University President Lesley Hallick signed a memorandum of understanding and said a few words on Oct. 25 as part of a brief ceremony. 

“Hosting Pacific University on LCC’s main campus will bring a baccalaureate education to our students and make it easier for them to pursue advanced education and training,” Hamilton said. “Having a university presence on our campus strengthens our mutual goal of making higher education more accessible for all students, while making the education continuum more transparent.”