Shared mission with University partners

NCTA, CASNR and IANR administrators sign the A to B Transfer Agreement
NCTA, CASNR and IANR administrators sign the A to B Transfer Agreement

July 5, 2016
by NCTA Dean Ron Rosati, PhD                     

The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture has been closely associated with the University of Nebraska system since becoming a postsecondary institution 50 years ago.

That relationship has been solidified in formal agreements over the decades, and NCTA continues to benefit from a strong and productive collaboration with our partners in Lincoln and around the state.

Though NCTA is a stand-alone institution in terms of budget and administration, our campus and students in the two-year college setting enjoy a close partnership with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, and Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Recently, I shared our deep appreciation for a vital partnership with Nebraska Extension and Frontier County Extension.  The county program is a strong collaboration and enriches Curtis and the surrounding communities of Maywood, Stockville, Farnam and Eustis.

Many students who attend NCTA are products of 4-H and FFA programs.  That alliance in youth opportunities brings individuals of strong character, work ethic and a passion for agriculture to our college.

Shared resources in leadership and agriculture career-building programs are high points for our relationship with UNL’s program called Agriculture Leadership, Education and Communication (ALEC).

Dr. Doug Smith, NCTA chairman of Agriculture Production Systems – Animal Science and Agriculture Education, is a professor of practice with ALEC.  He has guided a strong Ag Ed program here at NCTA, and recently had two students graduate from UNL’s ALEC program who will be going on to teach agriculture in high schools. We have another two students heading to UNL next month to pursue their teaching careers through ALEC studies. 

Another strong tie NCTA has with CASNR is the A to B Transfer Program.  NCTA students who graduate with an Associate degree can seamlessly transfer to UNL to pursue their Bachelor of Science degree. Due to our transfer agreement with CASNR, these students are guaranteed that their selected NCTA courses will transfer to UNL and count towards UNL graduation requirements.

We call these programs NCTA’s Link to Lincoln, and are fully supported by our counterparts on East Campus at UNL.  Our NCTA students fully embrace the opportunities they have before them here in Curtis.  Those who choose to continue a four-year degree program are well received in Lincoln, and we appreciate that wonderful support.

Scholarships and internships are available for NCTA scholars who transfer to UNL.  In 2015, we had one student receive a Regents Transfer Scholarship when she transferred to UNL for veterinary programs.  This fall, we have two more students who received the Regents Transfer Scholarship, one studying agriculture education and one in animal science and pre-veterinary studies. The Regents Transfer Scholarships provide full tuition for up to four semesters.

Our campuses benefit from frequent communication between students, faculty and administrators.  CASNR Dean Steve Waller is very helpful to NCTA and our mission.

And, recently, with the advancement of IANR Vice Chancellor Ronnie Green to UNL Chancellor and Dr. Ron Yoder to Interim Vice Chancellor, our primary administrative contact for NCTA at UNL is now the ALEC Department Chair, Dr. Mark Balschweid.  He has stepped into the role of associate vice chancellor.

All of us are preparing for a great fall semester as fulltime classes resume at NCTA and UNL.  I invite you to explore some of our campus offerings and learn more about NCTA’s partnerships at the University of Nebraska.

Campus Events:
July 10-16 – Tri State Delta Conference, Ag Teacher Professional Development week
July 11 – New Student Registration, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Education Center
July 16 – Frontier County 4-H Horse Show, Stockville (NCTA Arena in case of rain)

NCTA Mission:

The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is devoted to a statewide mission of preparing students for successful careers in agriculture, veterinary technology, food and related industries. The college provides open access to innovative technical education resulting in associate degrees, certificates, diplomas and other credentials.

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