ETBU and Elysian Fields High School team-up to create “Yellow Jacket University”

ETBU and Elysian Fields High School team-up to create "Yellow Jacket University"
East Texas Baptist University and Elysian Fields Independent School District announced the formation of "Yellow Jacket University" at a press conference held April 20, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. at Elysian Fields ISD's Administration Building. 
Starting in Fall 2017, ETBU will offer dual credit college courses to Elysian Fields High School students. The courses will be available on the University campus, in Elysian Fields High School classrooms, and online. 

The program provides an accessible opportunity for high school students to earn college credit. The courses will be offered for $100 per semester hour. Students will be allowed to take up to 27 semester hours before they graduate, about 25 percent of an undergraduate degree. The credit hours will be from ETBU, an accredited four-year university and transferable to any university in Texas.

After the success of Maverick University that began in Fall 2016 with Marshall ISD, ETBU continues to pursue new partnerships with area high schools.

Comments on new partnership:
Jack Parker, Principal of Elysian Fields High School, said:
"We are excited about our partnership with ETBU, and the opportunity it gives our students to earn college credit while still in high school.  We would like to thank Dr. Blackburn and the ETBU family for welcoming us.  Our college-bound students will reap the benefits of this merger next year and in the years to come.  We want to challenge our kids to grow into future leaders. ETBU's curriculum and their faculty will do just that.  We hope this program encourages more of our students to earn a college degree.  Again, we are proud of this opportunity! Go Jackets and Tigers!"

Dr. Thomas Sanders, ETBU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, said:
"Our mission as a Christ-centered university calls us to invest in the lives of those in our community like Elysian Fields ISD. This partnership embodies our commitment to Christ and our community."

Dr. J. Blair Blackburn, ETBU President, said:
"East Texas Baptist University is honored to partner with Superintendent Maynard Chapman, Principal Jack Parker, and Elysian Fields ISD in providing affordable and accessible higher education to their high school students with 'Yellow Jacket University.' We have had a very successful dual enrollment program with Marshall High School through Maverick University this past year. We are building on this success by extending this opportunity to other students within Harrison County. Elysian Fields is a valued partner with ETBU. Their quality students have come to be an important part of the ETBU family for many years. We want to encourage even more EFISD students to begin and finish their college studies at ETBU. EFHS students will have the opportunity to earn college credit hours while finishing their high school degree plan through this new partnership which reduces their expenses for higher education. Some of these students will choose to go to other institutions following high school graduation. ETBU is a part of the Common Course Numbering System with the state of Texas. In this state transfer program, public and private universities that participate in this system accept these credits. These courses meet criteria for high school graduation and transfer to the institution of the student's choice in Texas. Additionally, ETBU is a SACSCOC regionally-accredited institution and courses taken through Yellow Jacket University will be transferable to most institutions across the country. We will offer nine credit hours beginning in the Fall of 2017 to students that are juniors and seniors that are deemed eligible and qualified. We want students to have accessible, affordable education right here within reach in Harrison County."