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STEUBENVILLE - Erica Berryman had been considering taking a year off from school before deciding where to continue her education.

That changed Wednesday when officials from Jefferson Community College and Kent State University-East Liverpool Campus signed an agreement to bring a bachelor's completion program in criminal justice to the JCC campus.

"This is a very good opportunity because I can now stay at home, continue to work and obtain my bachelor's degree," said Berryman. "I was considering taking a year off from school and just working and helping out at home and then transferring my credits to the Kent State University-East Liverpool Campus. Now I can stay at home and take my classes here at JCC. This is much better. And I know a lot of other students in the two-year criminal justice program are considering doing the same thing."

Berryman soon was involved in a conversation with Lynette Rawlings, academic program director for justice studies at the KSU-East Liverpool Campus, who was explaining course options for Berryman, a 2009 JCC graduate.

Earlier on Wednesday Rawlings had joined KSU-East Liverpool Campus Dean Jeffrey L. Nolte along with JCC President Laura Meeks and JCC Executive Vice President James Baber to sign the agreement between the two schools.

"Our institutions acknowledge their unique role as the only institutions of public higher education in Columbiana and Jefferson counties and the need to provide degree completion options to a diverse student population, including time-constrained adults," Rawlings said.

According to Meeks, "JCC points to this latest partnership as an example of the wave of the future of higher education in the state. Our institutions as well as others across the state are being urged to share resources to provide more access to higher education options for area residents. We are so pleased to bring this criminal justice bachelor-completion option to Jefferson County and our campus."

Meeks said application to the bachelor's completion program can be initiated when the student is ready to take at least one KSU course. Students will be admitted to KSU-East Liverpool Campus as transfer students. Once admitted there, students who elect to take course work at JCC will do so as transient students.

"When I came here 10 years ago many students asked me to convert JCC into a four-year college because they wanted to stay here. We have taken a step in that direction today. This agreement will basically allow students pursuing a criminal justice degree to take their classes on our campus saving them time and money," stated Meeks.

"And students who have already graduated from JCC with a two-year criminal justice degree can return to pursue their bachelor's degree through this program. This is a wonderful opportunity for so many students," noted Meeks.

Jennifer Beal, a 2009 spring graduate of JCC, wanted to know about job opportunities after obtaining the bachelor of arts degree.

"There is a need for graduates with a solid background in criminal justice," replied Rawling.

And Jerry Silver, dean of allied health careers and public services at JCC, quickly lobbied Beal to consider enrolling in the new program.

"There are jobs at the federal level such as the Secret Service or the FBI. This degree will give you a great start toward a career at that level," said Silver.

"I want to work in law enforcement, and I am very glad this new program is starting now. I will be looking at financial aid and scholarships and plan to enroll in the next two years here at JCC. I want to complete the four-year degree here and, with the support of my family, I know I will," declared Beal.

Meeks said JCC already is in discussions with KSU and other colleges and universities to expand partnership opportunities.

"Our entire higher education model in Ohio is to promote partnerships. JCC is the smallest community college in Ohio, but I believe that as we expand into Eastern Gateway Community College and continue our partnership opportunities, we will become one of the largest community colleges in the state. This is only the beginning," Meeks announced.

JCC is expanding its services to Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties as part of a state plan to expand community college services areas throughout the state.

Part of the college's plans call for instructors and classrooms to be available in career centers and possibly rented space in the three counties.