HLGU and MACC announce new partnership

HANNIBAL, Mo. — More college students might choose to stay local thanks to a partnership between Moberly Area Community College and Hannibal LaGrange College.

On Wednesday afternoon at a press conference held at HLGU, representatives from the two schools announced a 2+2 partnership available for 17 different programs. Dr. Robert Matz, president of HLGU, said the partnership “enables students taking classes at MACC to transfer for Hannibal-LaGrange knowing that their credits will be accepted.”

The option will ensure students can take two years of classes at MACC that will seamlessly transfer to HLGU. They will then be able to finish a bachelor’s degree at HLGU in two years.

Dr. Jeff Lashley, president of MACC, said students who attend MACC in Hannibal are usually from Hannibal and the surrounding areas. Without the need to move for a Bachelor’s degree, they will stay in the area.

Lashley said it’s important for communities to keep their residents. “Communities need to have those residents who stay there. They become a part of the workforce and continue to live in the communities and bring all of the strengths of lifelong community members.”

Matz added that giving students the opportunity to finish their bachelor’s degree through the MACC partnership is part of HLGU’s investment in Hannibal. “This is where we have been placed and where we want to serve and where we want to build,” he said. 

He referenced the mayoral forum last month hosted by the Hannibal Chamber of Commerce where both candidates Barry Louderman and Kristy Trevathan said one of our greatest needs is the workforce. 

“In partnering together, this allows students and the workforce to be developed, to grow, and for our entire region to flourish as a result,” Matz said. 

Matz reported those who graduate with bachelor’s degrees “earn on average between $800,000 and $1 million more over the course of their career. He also said Missouri college enrollments are down by 20 percent with only 19 percent of students choosing to go to college and 23 percent of those staying in Missouri. 

“This adversely affects our entire region with our best and brightest leaving for college and often never returning,” he said. “A four-year college degree is one of the best investments a person can make in themselves.” 

Matz and Lashley agreed the partnership also provides a cost-saving way to obtain a four-year degree, and will be a great option for non-traditional students. 

The programs available through the MACC and HLGU 2+2 program are:

• Art
• Biology
• Business
• Conservation Biology
• Criminal Justice
• Computer Science
• Early Childhood Education
• English
• Exercise Science 
• Graphic Design
• Mathematics
• Media Communications
• Public Relations
• Psychology
• Sport and Rec Management
• Theater