FERRUM, Virginia, October 12, 2026 — Ferrum College and Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC) have created additional articulation agreements that will enable students with associate degrees from the community college to transition smoothly into criminal justice or teacher education majors and earn bachelor’s degrees within two years. P&HCC President Greg Hodges and Ferrum College President Mirta Martin signed the agreements on the P&HCC campus on Monday, October 12, with other college officials and students present. Eligible students will also qualify for tuition benefits from the Panther Promise program.
Ferrum already accepts associate of arts and associate of science graduates from all Virginia community colleges with access to the Ferrum Promise for most majors at Ferrum. Since 2019, the Ferrum Promise has ensured automatic completion of general education requirements, allowing students to focus on coursework in their major area of interest and finish bachelor’s degrees in most major programs in two years, or Ferrum College covers the remaining cost.
Those who meet the established criteria will also be eligible for the Panther Promise, which offers free tuition to qualifying Virginia residential students. Ferrum lies within the service area of P&HCC, and its graduates are among Ferrum College’s most successful students and graduates. Initiatives like the Panther Promise and Ferrum Promise position transfer students for success while also fueling the economic growth of the region.
“We know that the successful completion of education and training is the major determinant in the economic mobility of our students and the overall vibrancy of our community,” said Patrick & Henry President Greg Hodges. “These MOUs will ensure that students and families are equipped with the tools that they need to complete meaningful credentials that lead to good paying jobs with family-sustaining wages.”
“At Ferrum College, we believe talent is universal, but opportunity is not. These articulation agreements reflect our unwavering commitment to ensuring that students can pursue their dreams without unnecessary barriers,” said Ferrum College President Mirta Martin. “Together with Patrick & Henry Community College, we are creating a seamless pathway that allows students to build on the strong foundation they have already established and earn a bachelor’s degree at Ferrum College in just two years. Through the Ferrum Promise and Panther Promise, we are making that pathway not only attainable, but affordable. This partnership is about far more than transfer credits; it is about transforming lives, strengthening families, and preparing the next generation of leaders who will serve our communities and contribute to the economic vitality of our region. We are proud to partner with Patrick & Henry Community College as we continue expanding access to the life-changing power of higher education.”
The memoranda of understanding signed by Hodges and Martin affirm “the shared goal of fostering educational collaboration and enhancing academic opportunities for students.”
Learn more about the Panther Promise here: https://www.ferrum.edu/admissions-aid/cost-and-aid/tuition-and-fees
Pictured left to right: Terry Young, P&HCC Dean of Arts, Sciences, Education & Business; Colin Ferguson, P&HCC Assistant Vice President of Workforce & Technical Programs; Chris Wikstrom, P&HCC Vice President of Instruction & Student Services; Greg Hodges, P&HCC President; Mirta Martin, Ferrum College President; Richard Grant, Ferrum College Provost; Lois Williams, Ferrum College Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management; and Jason Powell, Ferrum College Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Planning.
