In a shift from tradition, some four-year colleges are now offering two-year associate degrees to better support students who may find the cost and scale of a full university experience daunting. One such institution, Loyola University Chicago, has paved the way with its Arrupe College, a program providing smaller class sizes and more intimate interaction with faculty. Jazmin Mejia, an Arrupe student, lauded the program, "The professors try to communicate with you and try to understand your situation," she told the Hechinger Report.
Expanding beyond the community college realm, this model is reportedly being adopted by other private, nonprofit universities that see its potential. The Rev. Thomas Neitzke, dean of Arrupe, described the environment as "a reach-in culture," hinting at the depth of the support system, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Universities like the University of St. Thomas, the University of Mount Saint Vincent, Butler University, and Boston College are also joining this movement to facilitate a more manageable pathway for students, particularly those from underserved backgrounds.
Steve Katsouros, the president and CEO of the Come To Believe Network and former dean of Arrupe, is championing the expansion of these associate degree programs at four-year institutions. This initiative, which aligns with the network’s aim of minimal student loan debt and high-quality education, provides grants to universities intent on implementing the model. In an interview with the Hechinger Report, Katsouros stressed identifying and addressing the obstacles to student success, mentioning that programs often include additional benefits like free meals, laptops, and housing.
Statistics highlight the drop-off in success rates among community college students aiming for bachelor's degrees, with only 16% accomplishing this within six years, according to research from the Aspen Institute and the Community College Research Center. This is contrasted by the figures from Arrupe College, where 50% of students graduate and 70% continue to bachelor's degree programs. Amid the push for expansion, affordability is a key selling point; at Arrupe, annual tuition is advertised at just over $13,000, but falls to about $2,000 for most students after scholarships and work-study options, as detailed by the Hechinger Report.
As universities forge ahead with associate degree programs, the collaborative aspects of this venture have not escaped notice. The need for coordination with existing community colleges is paramount. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Erick Berrelleza, the dean of the soon-to-open Messina College at Boston College, believes starting students in a smaller setting can help prevent the culture shock and attrition experienced on larger campuses. It stands as an attempt by four-year institutions to reinvent access to education, carving a new path for those who might otherwise slip through the educational cracks.
