A memorandum of understanding was signed by the two institutions last week at ETAMU's Dallas site.

Students in Weatherford College's (WC) Organizational Leadership program now have a clearer path toward a graduate degree at East Texas A&M University following a new partnership. ETAMU President Mark Rudin and Weatherford College President Tod Farmer signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at a special ceremony hosted at ET's Dallas site on August 12.

According to the agreement, Weatherford College students in the B.A.A.S. in Organizational Leadership program who have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in their last 60 semester credit hours, and who meet all other graduate admissions requirements and deadlines for East Texas A&M, are guaranteed admission to ETAMU's M.S. in Organizational Leadership.

The MOU creates pathways for Weatherford College Organizational Leadership students to transition smoothly to their graduate studies at East Texas A&M, with opportunities to accelerate degree completion.

Farmer said that ETAMU was a great answer to the college's desire to partner with a quality institution.

“We were looking for a prestigious university that matches our mission and values, and we know that when we look for quality, we look to The Texas A&M University System, and specifically East Texas A&M,” Farmer said. “This is a perfect match for us and our students.”

Farmer added that ETAMU's graduate program in Organizational Leadership stood out primarily for its “student-friendly delivery system,” which students can take online at their own pace.

“It's very affordable, it's high-quality, it's convenient. It checks all the boxes for our students,” Farmer said.

Dr. April Sanders, dean of the College of Innovation and Design at East Texas A&M, which houses the Organizational Leadership programs, believes the partnership makes sense because both institutions are aligned in several areas.

“I feel like we serve a similar type of learner,” Sanders said. “We also have a similar view of how we want to assist students and help them become the best versions of themselves.”

Sanders added that the partnership also emphasizes the College of Innovation and Design's mission to find new and innovative ways to create opportunities for students.