University of Central Missouri, Metropolitan Community College Sign Agreement to Strengthen Transfer Pathways

 

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) and Metropolitan Community College (MCC) have signed a new memorandum of agreement designed to create a more direct, affordable and supportive pathway for MCC students who plan to complete an associate degree and continue toward a bachelor’s degree at UCM.

The agreement was celebrated during a signing ceremony May 14 at MCC-Penn Valley, where leaders from both institutions highlighted the longstanding partnership between UCM and MCC and their shared commitment to helping students reach their academic goals. Dr. Kimberly Beatty, Chancellor and CEO of Metropolitan Community College, also noted the agreement’s connection to honors education, including support for MCC honors students who wish to continue their academic experience through the UCM Honors College.

The pathway creates a concurrent enrollment pathway that allows eligible MCC students to be admitted to both institutions, take designated UCM coursework while completing an associate degree through MCC and receive support from both colleges throughout the process. The agreement is intended to reduce potential time and cost to degree completion, improve advising and transfer planning, and give MCC students access to UCM student support services and campus resources while they work toward transfer.

UCM Direct Connect is the university’s collaborative transfer initiative designed to provide a clear pathway from associate to bachelor’s degree. Through concurrent enrollment agreements with partner community colleges such as MCC, students can begin their academic work through a community college while gaining access to UCM resources, advising and campus experiences that support completion of a four-year degree.

Students who complete an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Arts in Teaching degree from MCC will be able to enter UCM at junior status, provided they meet applicable admission and program requirements. Through UCM Direct Connect, eligible students also may receive a $2,000 renewable stackable scholarship after completing an MCC associate degree and continuing into a bachelor’s degree program at UCM. Students may also benefit from joint advising, transcript sharing at no cost, tutoring services, access to UCM student support resources and opportunities to participate in campus life.

“MCC and UCM are aligned in providing a seamless transfer for students who plan to pursue their bachelor’s degree at UCM,” Dr. Beatty said. “This collaboration is more than just an agreement. It is a bridge. It allows students to begin building their future through MCC and continue at a four-year institution, benefiting from accessibility, affordability and the strong foundation of their community college education.”

Dr. Beatty said the partnership is especially important for students across the Kansas City region and reflects the institutions’ shared interest in creating clear pathways from community college to bachelor’s degree completion.

“Together, we are removing barriers, simplifying transitions and empowering students to move forward with confidence,” Dr. Beatty said. “This renewed partnership reflects not only where we are today, but where we are going, toward a future where higher education is more connected, more accessible and more responsive to our students.”

UCM President Roger Best said the agreement builds on a deep relationship between the two institutions, including work through UCM Lee’s Summit at the Missouri Innovation Campus and longstanding articulation agreements designed to support student transfer.

“Our mutual goal is to serve our students and serve them well,” Best said. “We want students in this pathway to complete. We want them to come to UCM, be at UCM, and also earn the associate degree from MCC. That is critical for both institutions and, most importantly, for the students we serve.”

Best said the agreement is especially meaningful for students who benefit from additional support, including first-generation students, students from underrepresented backgrounds and students facing financial challenges.

“With UCM and MCC working together, students will have the support they need to successfully complete what they started,” Best said. “This relationship extends beyond signing papers. It is about serving students, serving each other and serving the state of Missouri.”

The agreement begins with the fall 2026 semester and is effective for 10 years. It applies to regional campuses and centers for both institutions and may be renewed or amended with the consent of both parties.

Under the agreement, students will receive coordinated support from both institutions while they are concurrently enrolled. MCC will remain the home institution for financial aid before students complete an associate degree. After completing their associate degree and transitioning fully to UCM, eligible students may receive UCM transfer scholarships and other applicable aid.

For more information about UCM Direct Connect, visit ucmo.edu/directconnect.

For more information about Metropolitan Community College, contact Blake Fry, Ed.D., executive director of district communication and marketing, at 816-604-1412 or Blake.Fry(at)mcckc.edu.

 

About Metropolitan Community College

Metropolitan Community College is one college with five campuses. Our campus’ formal names are Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods, Metropolitan Community College-Blue River etc. But informally, they’re known as MCC-Maple Woods, MCC-Blue River, MCC-Online etc.

 

A century of service: Metropolitan Community College is Kansas City’s oldest public institution of higher education; 2025-26 marks our 111th academic year.  We were founded in 1915 as part of the Kansas City Polytechnic Institute, changed our name to the Junior College of Kansas City in 1919, and became “Metropolitan” in 1964. Our campuses — MCC-Blue River, MCC-Longview, MCC-Maple Woods, MCC-Online and MCC-Penn Valley — educate about 20,000 students annually through credit and noncredit courses and business services.