Minnesota State University, Mankato and Riverland Community College jointly announced last week a partnership that offers degree-seeking Riverland students the opportunity to be enrolled in the “Future Maverick Program, Transfer Pathway.”

The “Future Maverick Program, Transfer Pathway Agreement” is designed to promote the completion of the associate’s degree and seamless transfer of students from Riverland to Minnesota State Mankato’s bachelor degree programs.

Students in the program will receive dedicated academic advising from both institutions to develop plans of study that meet degree and course requirements for associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. In addition to academic advising, students will also have full access to student support services at both Riverland and Minnesota State Mankato, to include financial aid, student activities, library services, computer labs, career services and more.

A guaranteed tuition scholarship plan will be designed to lock in the Minnesota State Mankato tuition rate that is in effect when “Future Maverick Program, Transfer Pathway Agreement” students begin their second year at Riverland through their graduation from Minnesota State Mankato.

Minnesota State Mankato President Richard Davenport and Riverland President Adenuga Atewologun made the announcement official by signing a memorandum of understanding at a ceremony at Riverland’s campus in Austin, Minn.

“Our latest ‘Future Maverick’ agreement with Riverland, the third between our institutions, opens pathways for even more students,” said Davenport. “It also demonstrates the ongoing commitment on the part of both institutions to meet the needs of our students. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Riverland.”

“This transfer pathway agreement is designed to encourage students to complete their associate and baccalaureate degrees in record time and at the best financial value,” said Atewologun. “Not only are these students guaranteed admission at both Riverland and Minnesota State Mankato, but they are eligible for generous scholarship and strong student support to successfully complete their bachelor’s degrees in eight or nine semester from the time they enroll full-time at Riverland.”

The agreement is the third “Future Mavericks” agreement between Riverland and Minnesota State Mankato. The first, announced June 6, 2014 in Albert Lea, Minn., guarantees admission and Minnesota in-state tuition rates at Minnesota State Mankato for newly enrolled Riverland students from Iowa. The second, announced March 5, 2015 in Owatonna, Minn., provides international students who enroll at Riverland a seamless transfer process to Minnesota State Mankato while also promoting English language acquisition.

For more information and specific Riverland admissions requirements, please contact Nel Zellar, director of admissions and new student relations, by phone at 507-433-0832 or by email at nel.zellar@riverland.edu.

For more information and specific Minnesota State Mankato admissions requirements, please contact David Jones, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management, by phone at 507-389-2121 or by email at david.jones@mnsu.edu.