NIC, LC State sign co-admission agreement

North Idaho College and Lewis-Clark State College expanded their partnership by signing a co-admission and co-enrollment agreement Thursday.

NIC President Nick Swayne and LC State President Cynthia Pemberton announced the memorandum of understanding at a signing ceremony at the DeArmond Building on NIC’s Coeur d’Alene campus. 

The presidents said the expanded partnership will help Idaho’s working adults access higher education opportunities more easily.

“LC State and NIC have worked together for more than 40 years to meet North Idaho’s education needs seamlessly,” Pemberton said. “This agreement will help us further enhance collaboration, efficiencies, and, ultimately, service for students. The NIC-LC State healthcare education pipeline will benefit from this agreement and is a great example of how the two schools are working together to meet critical North Idaho needs.” 

The MOU and financial aid consortium agreement will provide the support students need to enroll at both LC State and NIC, allowing a seamless transition to earn an associate degree at NIC and complete a bachelor's degree at LC State.

“We’re here to provide the best possible education and offer flexible options for students in our community,” Swayne said. “This partnership gives students another way to build on the education they receive at NIC and continue toward a bachelor’s degree while balancing work, family and other responsibilities.”

The goals outlined in the MOU include improved student access to undergraduate education, increased associate degree completion, easier student movement between LC State and NIC, and improved access to student support services. The partnership will provide students with a wider array of curricular options, allowing them to tailor their educational experiences to fit personal goals, preferences and needs.

In addition to the student benefits, the MOU aims to bolster enrollment at both institutions while simultaneously creating a more effective and efficient use of staff, facilities and student support services. Through the MOU, students using co-enrollment will have access to resources at both institutions, including library and advising services.

“This partnership is a great example of Idaho’s higher education system working together to better serve students,” said Jennifer White, executive director of the Idaho State Board of Education. “By creating clearer pathways between institutions and making it easier for students to continue their education, Lewis-Clark State College and North Idaho College are expanding opportunities for Idahoans while helping meet the workforce needs of the region and our state.”

Students who complete an associate degree at NIC will be considered to have met all general education core requirements at LC State, unless specific core classes are required for their desired bachelor's degree.

Tuition will be determined by the institution offering the courses in which a student is enrolled. Residency pricing at both schools will apply the same as for single-enrollment students.

LC State has offered bachelor’s degrees in Coeur d’Alene in partnership with North Idaho College since 1982.