The Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for the State Fair Community College (SFCC) location at Lincoln University on Tuesday, Oct. 7 to celebrate the Connect Blue partnership between the two colleges. The SFCC – Jefferson City office is located in Room 317 of Martin Luther King Hall on the Lincoln campus.
Jefferson City Mayor Ron Fitzwater signed a proclamation establishing Oct. 7, 2024, as State Fair Community College – Jefferson City Campus Day. Fitzwater recognized the significance of the partnership.
“To have two colleges together is just a privilege for our community,” said Fitzwater.
SFCC and Lincoln University created the Connect Blue program in April 2023 to help students establish a transfer path that allows students to be enrolled at both colleges concurrently and ensure a seamless transfer from SFCC to Lincoln.
“This is such an important partnership for both colleges, Jefferson City, and the whole region,” said State Fair Community College President Brent Bates. “SFCC – Jefferson City serves as the anchor for serving your community with education and transfer opportunities, as well as customized workforce training in Jefferson City.”
The Connect Blue program at SFCC – Jefferson City has 41 students enrolled in SFCC and Lincoln University simultaneously this semester.
“Lincoln University was founded on the principle of education for all,” said Lincoln University College President John Moseley. “This partnership with State Fair Community College allows us to better serve two categories of students, those students who are underprepared for college, as well as Missouri A+ students, who can matriculate into Lincoln University.”
The Missouri A+ program is a state funded initiative that allows eligible Missouri high school graduates to take courses at State Fair Community College, or other community colleges, tuition free. The Connect Blue program allows those same SFCC students to transfer to Lincoln to earn a bachelor’s degree.
The Missouri Secretary of State, and former community college educator, Jay Ashcroft was in attendance and spoke briefly to the significance of having a program like Connect Blue in Jefferson City.
“This is tremendous and I want to congratulate everyone involved in this partnership,” said Ashcroft. “This partnership is all about making sure students will be successful.”
To learn more about the Connect Blue program, visit www.sfccmo.edu/connect-blue.
