By Kimberly Pilon
Lots of changes have started coming to Beloit College in 2024, and one of the most major ones is a new partnership with Blackhawk Technical College and Edgewood College. Blackhawk College students can now be found on Beloit’s campus, and Edgewood College has joined with Beloit in order to offer a nursing program to Beloit students.
Blackhawk Technical College provides Beloit College students the opportunity to connect with Blackhawk’s student population, and make new connections that wouldn’t have been possible in the past.
Blackhawk is also a two-year college, and so Beloit College is hoping that this partnership will encourage Blackhawk Students to transfer to Beloit after they complete their time at Blackhawk. This is an opportunity for Beloit students to embrace Beloit College, and in turn, show others why Beloit is a great place to be. All in all, the Blackhawk partnership doesn’t lead to much significant change in the lives of current Beloit students. Beloit College has been trying to create this partnership for many years, and it has finally happened.
Our college wants to be a community partner before all else, and this partnership is something that helps both colleges out. Peet Hall would’ve been sitting unused this school year while Beloit still paid to heat and cool it, so allowing the Blackhawk students to live there solves multiple problems. In addition to Peet Hall, Blackhawk students also have access to The Powerhouse, as well as sports facilities, as this year Blackhawk has added several athletic programs as a NJCAA member, such as men’s golf, volleyball, coed bowling, and men’s and women’s basketball.
To further benefit Beloit students, Beloit College staff member, Rachel Bergstrom, has worked with Blackhawk Technical College to allow Beloit students to use Blackhawk’s EMT and CNA programs and receive credit at Beloit. Beloit College is looking to develop partnerships that tie into the career readiness mindset, and this affiliation assists in reaching that goal. As Beloit College increases its enrollment numbers over the next few years, the partnership with Blackhawk might change.
Beloit College hopes to be able to adapt their partnership as that happens, but they are also looking forward to more Beloit students roaming campus. The collaboration with Edgewood College allows Beloit College students to earn a Bachelor in Nursing in addition to a Beloit College degree, commonly a Bachelors of Science. Edgewood and Beloit came up with this solution to solve the nursing shortage in Southern Wisconsin.
They also plan to use this program to connect with the communities with a high level of need. They are using a four plus one or a three plus one system for this partnership, both with different positives and negatives. Four plus one is more common for athletes, where you spend the first four years earning your Beloit degree, and then the last year getting your nursing degree. Three plus one is just one less year obtaining your Beloit degree, which would involve a heavier course load.
Beloit students can take their first step towards this program starting from their first semester on campus, up to the fall semester before the BSN program begins. This is an opportunity for Beloit College students to graduate with a Beloit degree, as well as full nursing license. Students are able to remain on campus and retain the connections from their undergrad, while still moving to the next step in their careers. Beloit College administration is grateful to be able to make these partnerships a reality, and improve the future of the community and the students. They are thankful for the connections that have been able to be made, and the opportunities that have been provided to students at all three colleges.
Featured Image Credit: Blackhawk College
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