UNH Today

The University of New Hampshire at Manchester and Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) recently celebrated the launch of their latest dual admission initiative, the Public Pathways Program, which enables New Hampshire community college students to seamlessly transition their associate degree into a bachelor’s degree program at UNH Manchester.

“Affordable, accessible public pathways for New Hampshire students are more important than ever, especially given today’s economy,” said J. Michael Hickey, interim dean of UNH Manchester. “The Public Pathways Program is intended to identify very clear pathways for students in the state to achieve their higher education goals.”

Resulting from thoughtful planning and strong collaboration, the Public Pathways Program was designed to ensure that community college students in the state have access to affordable higher education. UNH President Mark Huddleston said the program represents a unified goal among educators.

“Every single person here is here because they care passionately about opportunities for young people in New Hampshire. That is what this program is about,” Huddleston said. “We come from different colleges and campuses, but our passion for the young people in New Hampshire unites us.”  

Unlike traditional dual admission programs, the Public Pathways Program provides a detailed path for students’ two-year community college experience so that the credits they’ve earned will transfer to UNH Manchester in the most efficient way possible. Each pathway is tailored to a specific program at UNH Manchester, so community college students earn credits that apply to both an associate and bachelor’s degree in their first two years.

Manchester Community College President Susan Huard said this is the start of a vibrant partnership between UNH and CCSNH, one that will continue to grow as the institutions work to create new pathways.

“We talk more and more about pathways, but I really think they are really becoming highways,” Huard said. “UNH Manchester has shown us the way. Our job now is to keep those pathways moving forward and make it a very common thing that happens for students.”

Pathways to bachelor’s degree programs at UNH Manchester are currently available from Great Bay Community College, Manchester Community College, Nashua Community College, NHTI and White Mountains Community College.

“Educational opportunity is important in every community in this state,” Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas said. “When you can set that bridge so it’s easier for a student to navigate, it’s better for everyone.”