GREEN BAY, Wis. — Students at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College have a new pathway to a four-year degree.

The college announced Monday a new partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. The partnership guarantees students at NWTC who earn a new associate’s degree can transfer to UW-Green Bay and earn junior standing as they continue their pursuit of a four-year degree.

“We see students that come to us and never thought they were going to go to university and realize they can do college level work and say, ‘I can move on and now I want to,’” NWTC President Jeff Rafn said.

“We know that this will provide greater access and opportunity,” said Kathryn Roglaski, NWTC’s vice president of Learning. “We’ll help those students to see themselves as attaining a bachelor’s degree.”

Carmen Vos is the new scholars director for CollegeReady in Green Bay. She helps students and families prepare their children for post-secondary education. She said the announcement Monday means there are more affordable options for families whose children hope to attain a bachelor’s degree.

“Some of the families know that the cost of a two-year degree is less than that of a four-year degree, but knowing that if this is their path and if their enjoying what they’re studying to be able to transfer to a UW-System school, it just gives them a leg up,” Vos said.

Rafn said the program at NWTC will begin in the fall.

The partnership is part of a larger program between the University of Wisconsin System and the Wisconsin Technical College System.​