By Cady Inabinett, Managing editor of content 

Montevallo and Trenholm State Community College signed a transfer agreement on Sept. 27, making Trenholm a partner institution in Montevallo’s ContinuUM Transfer Pathway Program. 

The ContinuUM Transfer Pathway Program is a program that aims to facilitate simple Montevallo transfer processes for students at regional community colleges. Trenholm is the sixth community college to join the ContinuUM program, joining Jefferson State Community College, Lawson State Community College, Shelton State Community College, Snead State Community College and Wallace State Community College. 

Students in the ContinuUM program are guaranteed acceptance to Montevallo after earning an associate degree at one of the partner institutions or if they have earned at least 45 transferrable credit hours with a minimum of 2.0 GPA. ContinuUM students receive other benefits as well, such as pre-transfer advising, access to student online services such as digital library resources, access to Montevallo’s Career Development Center and a $2,000 scholarship that can be combined with Transfer Academic Recognition and Transfer Minority scholarships.  

Trenholm is a public community college in Montgomery. It is part of the Alabama Community College System, and provides technical certificates, degree programs, adult learning opportunities and business and industry training opportunities.  

Trenholm is also a historically black college, making it one of nine two-year colleges to be considered an HBCU. The college has a received grants from U.S. Department of Education under Title III, Part B every year since 1988. Title III, Part B is a program providing financial assistance to HBCUs, meant to aid in strengthening physical infrastructure, financial management, academic resources and endowment-building capacity at HBCUs.  

Montevallo’s Executive Director of Admission, Audrey Crawford, spoke on why the university felt it was important to pursue a partnership with Trenholm, saying, “During our recent joint announcement with Trenholm State as a ContinuUM partner, we learned from Trenholm State staff about the impact that the University of Montevallo had on former students who enrolled at UM to complete their undergraduate studies.” 

“Trenholm State staff specifically mentioned that they received feedback from former students that UM provided an easy transition to a four-year college and supported them for the remainder of their studies,” Crawford said. 

She pointed out other benefits transferring to Montevallo had for Trenholm students as well, including Montevallo’s geographical location and the university MADE program. 

Montevallo’s Minorities Achieving Dreams of Excellence (MADE) program is meant to assist minority students at the university by offering benefits such as early orientation, scholarships, monthly meetings, coaching, events and mentoring.  

Crawford said there are currently no specific plans for expanding the ContinuUM program into other community colleges, but that the university will look into forming partnerships with other community colleges in the region as interest arises.