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Music and Entertainment Business Program Welcomes Affiliation Agreement with Grand Rapids Community College

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A collaborative effort by Ferris State University faculty and administrators helps pave the way for Grand Rapids Community College students to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Music and Entertainment Business under an articulation agreement announced in early Spring 2021.

Paul Kwant, Music and Entertainment Business program director, said the “3+1” configuration, where GRCC students will come to Ferris with a third year of business and technical studies completed, is unique in academic arrangements with a partner institution.

“I believe this accord will see us working with an influx of mature learners, focused on building on their experiences, having a foundation that will serve them well as they seek to establish themselves professionally,” Kwant said. “The GRCC students will have earned their Associate of Arts degree in Pre-Music and Entertainment, along with many of the prerequisites completed for that college’s Digital Audio Specialist certificate. “

Kwant said Lianne Briggs, a professor emerita from the College of Business, and Humanities chair Scott Cohen assisted in the groundwork for this new articulation agreement. A “2+2” program with West Shore Community College, near Ludington, was established and announced in February 2019.

“Kevin Dobreff and Tim Heldt are the collaborators from GRCC’s Music department, who have been incredibly helpful in the formation of this ‘3+1’ agreement,” Kwant said. “I am very much looking forward to what their students will bring to 300-level Music and Entertainment Business class discussions, along with their contributions during their pursuit of this degree.”

Kwant said based on the experiences he has enjoyed with WSCC’s Ted Malt, a professor of music studies and director of that college’s performing arts program partner institutions, help Music and Entertainment Business’ learning and stature to rise.

“A WSCC student, Logan Hanson, attended our ‘Rock at Hemlock’ concert on Thursday, April 15,” Kwant said. “He was as delighted as I was with the performers, there before a socially distanced audience of 100, saying ‘This was just what I needed to experience.’ Music and Entertainment Business students already benefit from our relationship with industry leaders, like Sweetwater Sound, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the world’s second-largest online retailer of musical products. GRCC’s emphasis on business learning will be huge for those students who want to become music entrepreneurs, studio owners or look to pursue other opportunities as music or entertainment industry professionals.”

Ferris has more than a dozen articulation agreements with colleges and universities across Michigan.