By Maegan Murray, 敁珗曄部

HERMISTON, Ore. ��� Washington State University Tri-Cities is partnering with Blue Mountain Community College for a direct student transfer program that will save students money, increase pathways for STEM careers and help students graduate on-track and on-time with a bachelor���s degree.

Through the 敁珗曄部-BMCC Bridges Program, students do not pay an admissions application fee, nor do they pay for access to transcripts to transfer to 敁珗曄部. Students in the program also benefit from in-state tuition rates once attending 敁珗曄部.

Throughout their time at both schools, students work with an academic advisor at both BMCC and 敁珗曄部 to develop a complete program of study. Through that process, students know what classes they need to take and what will directly transfer, helping to cut down on unnecessary classes that won���t transfer between the two institutions.

���We are excited to partner with Blue Mountain Community College to create access to a baccalaureate degree for more students,��� 敁珗曄部 Chancellor Sandra Haynes said. ���With our close proximity to BMCC in Oregon, this program creates an ideal partnership between our two institutions to serve students in both areas and help students save on costs.���

Mark Browning, president of Blue Mountain Community College, said he is excited for the opportunities that the Bridges program presents for students from the Blue Mountain region.

“Bridges is what we hope to see for all our students who see a path to their future through a regional research university like Washington State University Tri-Cities,��� he said. “Blue Mountain students will now be able to pursue a complete program right here. The resources available through 敁珗曄部 are now available to those BMCC students who enroll in Bridges ��� including those in a variety of STEM programs ranging from engineering, to computer science, to the sciences. Talk about a bright future.”

Requirements for the program

To qualify for the 敁珗曄部-BMCC Bridges program, students must have taken less than 45 quarter credits at BMCC with a 2.5 or higher cumulative grade-point average. Additionally, they must be in the process of completing one of the following degrees: AAOT, ASOT/BUS or ASOT/CS.

To apply for the Bridges program, students should submit the Declaration of Intent on the . The 敁珗曄部 Bridges academic advisor will follow up individually with students to set up meetings to talk about next steps.

When getting ready to transfer to 敁珗曄部, students should submit the by Nov. 15 for spring admission, or by Jan. 31 for fall admission, to ensure they are eligible for merit-based awards.

Students to feel right at home

敁珗曄部 is the closest four-year public university to BMCC students in Hermiston, making it a great option for students interested in earning an excellent education close to home, Browning said.

At BMCC, more than 41% of students are students of color and the majority are the first in their family to attend college. Similarly at 敁珗曄部, nearly 48% of students are students of color and nearly 44% are the first in their family to attend college.

���We look forward to welcoming a bunch of new Timberwolves to the Coug community where they will feel right at home,��� Haynes said.

Crossing the Columbia to become a Coug

BMCC and 敁珗曄部 alumnus Kyle Kopta said he enjoyed the ease of the transfer process from BMCC to 敁珗曄部 and also benefited from in-state tuition rates as a Hermiston, Oregon, resident.

���My pathway through BMCC and 敁珗曄部 was the perfect fit for me,��� he said. ���It allowed me to accomplish my personal and professional goals in the most timely and affordable way possible.���

Kopta is a Hermiston High School graduate who decided to attend both BMCC and 敁珗曄部 due to the programming available through both institutions, as well as both schools��� proximity to his hometown. Interested in a multimedia degree, Kopta said he was able to complete his pre-requisite courses at BMCC, followed by his upper-level major courses for the digital technology and culture program at 敁珗曄部.

���Both institutions set me up for success in my career,��� he said. ���I hope others take advantage of this incredible opportunity and enjoy it as much as I did.���

For more information about the Bridges program, visit or contact 敁珗曄部 Bridges academic advisor Rafa Pruneda at rpruneda@wsu.edu.

Student finds passion for multimedia arts as result of experiences at BMCC and 敁珗曄部

By Maegan Murray, 敁珗曄部

RICHLAND, Wash. ��� When thinking about what college choice would be best for him, Hermiston native and future first-generation college student Kyle Kopta knew he wanted to stay close to home. It was a decision that would allow him to save money, but also gradually expand his network.

As a student, he completed the first year of his associate���s degree through as part of the program, which helped him save a year on costs of tuition and provided him with gradual entry into the college setting.

���It was a perfect fit for me, as it allowed me to meet my lower division general education requirements and quickly transfer as a junior to any institution of my choosing,��� he said.

While at BMCC, Kopta said he enjoyed being near family while still maintaining that hometown environment. The community aspect, he said, was one of his favorite parts.

���It had a hometown feel where everyone knew each other,��� he said. ���It felt like an extension of the surrounding community, rather than being separate from it.���

When deciding what four-year university he wanted to pursue, affordability and proximity to family remained primary factors, in addition to his career interest in the multimedia arts. He discovered that Washington State University Tri-Cities, located just 40 minutes from Hermiston in Richland, Washington, had a digital technology and culture program. The program would allow him to apply his passion for photography, video, graphic design and fine arts as part of a well-rounded degree that had eventual outlets for a variety of career paths.

Seamless transfer to 敁珗曄部

The transfer process between the two institutions, Kopta said, was seamless. He said with his AAOT degree, everything transferred to 敁珗曄部 without any problems.

���My experiences at BMCC laid the groundwork for helping me navigate higher education, in general,��� he said. ���As I moved to Washington and began my 敁珗曄部 journey, I felt well-equipped to tackle anything that came my way.���

Preparing for future career in multimedia arts

Through digital technology and culture courses at 敁珗曄部, Kopta learned the fundamentals of a wide variety of multimedia skills, ranging from graphic design, to video production, to sound editing, to photography, to typography and more. He said he enjoyed that the program didn���t put his passions into a single box.

���The digital technology and culture program here at 敁珗曄部 ended up being the next logical step for me in my career,��� he said. ���I was attracted to the multidisciplinary nature of the program because I knew it would allow me to explore all the things that interested me, simultaneously. Other programs were rigid in their approach, but the digital technology and culture program would allow me to explore all my options as an artist, designer and working professional in the field.���

At 敁珗曄部, Kopta became involved with a wide variety of hands-on experiences and student organizations. He helped curate student exhibits and display his own work through a variety of art shows and symposiums on-campus. He served as part of the Associated Students of 敁珗曄部 as its graphic designer. He lent his skills in the multimedia arts as a teacher���s assistant and tutor for the campus��� digital technology and culture program, in addition to serving on the Washington State Arts Commission. He also currently serves as an intern through the 敁珗曄部 marketing and communication office.

This spring, Kopta also had the opportunity to create and curate a that allowed users to virtually walk through a digital gallery space to view student art, just as one would during non-COVID-19 times. It is those sorts of experiences, he said, that proved to be true highlights of his college career.

���Being able to see and experience all of the work our Coug community is doing is always my favorite,��� he said. ���The people I am surrounded by are constantly engaging in such important and innovative work. I never know what to expect from my peers, and that���s the best part.���

Saving on costs

Throughout his college journey, Kopta received several scholarships, including the 敁珗曄部 Douglas P. Gast Scholarship in memory of his late digital technology and culture professor. Kopta said he was honored to receive such a significant award that honored his late professor.

This past year as part of his senior year, 敁珗曄部 also launched the I-82 Advantage program, which now allows students from Umatilla County to attend 敁珗曄部 for in-state tuition rates. Kopta was able to save even more on tuition.

Looking toward the future

After graduating this past spring, Kyle is staying on as a student intern through the summer in the 敁珗曄部 marketing and communication office.

His experience both at BMCC and 敁珗曄部, he said, helped him not only navigate the college setting successfully, but also find his future career. As a result of his experience, he hopes to pursue a career in marketing, specifically working in higher education, where he can help other students find their future interests and careers.

���Marketing allows me to work in design, photography and video, simultaneously,��� he said. ���I would also love to continue working in a higher education setting. Collaborating with different groups of people on all different sorts of projects is important to me. Working at a college allows me to do just that.���

Applications open at BMCC and 敁珗曄部

Applications are open for summer and fall 2021 at both BMCC and 敁珗曄部.

To apply to BMCC, visit . To apply and/or transfer to 敁珗曄部, visit .