U.S. Consulate General Celebrates New Partnership Between Troy University and Bermuda College

The U.S. Consulate General celebrates a new partnership between Troy University in Alabama (Troy) and the Bermuda College that will provide an additional pathway for students from Bermuda to study in the United States. Troy Chancellor Jack Hawkins, Jr., First Lady Janice Hawkins, Troy’s Senior Vice Chancellor of Student Services and Admissions Sohail Agboatwala and International Recruiter Bailey Anne Corbin are in Bermuda today to formalize an articulation agreement between Troy and the Bermuda College, explore further collaboration opportunities with education stakeholders, and promote information about the enrollment process and special scholarships for students from Bermuda.

Troy University Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr. and Bermuda College Interim President Branwen Smith-King signed the agreement today during a ceremony held on the Bermuda College campus. U.S. Consul General Karen Grissette, who has prioritized creating new and affordable educational opportunities in the United States for Bermudians, welcomed the Troy delegation to Bermuda and thanked both institutions for their partnership. “I am proud to celebrate this agreement between Troy University and the Bermuda College. This agreement is one more pathway for an exceptional and affordable higher education opportunity in Bermuda’s closest neighbor, the United States. Thank you, Chancellor Hawkins, and Interim President Smith-King, for your valued partnership and commitment to expanding education opportunities for Bermuda's youth.” said Consul General Grissette.

The agreement demonstrates Troy, Bermuda College, and the U.S. Consulate’s commitment to broaden educational opportunities for Bermuda’s youth. Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr., and his colleagues arrived in Bermuda Monday to connect with education stakeholders, Troy alumni such as MP Kim Swan, and to discuss details of the new partnership.

The agreement will enable Bermuda College students undertaking the associate of arts business administration program to seamlessly transfer two years of credit hours to complete a bachelor’s degree in business administration at Troy University.

Minister of Education, the Honorable Diallo Rabain, welcomed the new partnership in a statement today, "The Ministry of Education supports the partnership between Troy University and Bermuda College. We welcome the start of an additional option for Bermudian students to access overseas study to pursue their educational aspirations."

Interim President at the College, Branwen Smith-King stated, “Bermuda College is absolutely delighted to formally acknowledge the academic partnership with Troy University. Students in the Business Administration Associate Degree programme will benefit from this opportunity, another pathway to a well-recognised institution of higher learning. Once completing the associate degree at Bermuda College students can successfully and seamlessly transfer their credits to Troy University toward a bachelor’s degree in business and specialist business areas. With a number of Bermudians amongst its illustrious alumni, Troy will continue to provide an excellent education for future Bermudian students.”

Troy Chancellor, Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. spoke of the potential of today’s signing. “We are appreciative of this opportunity and see this as just the beginning of a great partnership between Bermuda, Bermuda College, United States Consul General’s Office, and Troy University. The goal of this partnership is to create opportunities for student access and success.

Troy is now recruiting students from Bermuda and offers a wide range of programs for a total price of about $22,000 per year, inclusive of tuition, housing, meals, and insurance. Notably, scholarships are available for all Bermudian students with a grade point average of 2.0 on a 4-point scale, who are either seeking to undertake a four-year program after graduating high school, or are undertaking the transfer pathways program via Bermuda College’s associate degree in business. Students will pay less than $10,000 per year in tuition. Graduate and doctorate level programs are also available at Troy for those seeking to expand their education and professional careers.

The U.S. Consul General supported the Troy leadership visit and signing of the new agreement as part of the U.S. Consulate’s Study With ‘US’ education campaign, which aims to highlight the longstanding educational ties between the United States and Bermuda and highlight accessible pathways to study in the United States. “The Bermuda College has well-established partnerships with over 20 U.S. colleges and universities, and continues to encourage additional partnerships to study in the United States,” highlighted U.S. Consul General Grissette.

Hawkins has served as Troy’s Chancellor for over 30 years and is the longest-serving chief executive officer of a public university in the United States. He has overseen an era of change and growth at Troy OY and served as the catalyst for the university’s evolution to an international institution. During his tenure, academic standards for admission have increased, new degree programs were established, and intercollegiate athletics joined the highest level of National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) competition.

For more information about Troy University, visit: https://www.troy.edu/

For more information about Bermuda College and articulation agreements, visit: https://www.college.bm/index.php/pathways

For more information about #StudyWithUS, visit, bm.usconsulate.gov and follow the U.S. Consulate General on Facebook, Twitter