252 Former U of I Students Finish What They Started, Join Vandal Alums
June 12, 2024
MOSCOW, Idaho — More qualified Vandals are available to Idaho industries after a unique program helped 252 former students receive associate degrees — degrees that they had already qualified for during their time as students.
Through Vandal Finish, an initiative launched to help former, non-graduating University of Idaho students complete degrees they had previously started, more than 1,400 former students were notified they already qualified for associate degrees. U of I began offering associate degrees in 2023. Some of those students are now choosing to complete a full bachelor’s degree by taking online or in-person classes.
For example, Jon McKenzie of Coeur d’Alene graduated with his two children this spring, finishing a degree he began 20 years ago. McKenzie obtained a GED and started college at Spokane Community College in 2001. After several stops and starts while trying to complete his education, he finally attended online classes at U of I in 2023 and graduated last month with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies.
U of I is hoping to help more former students complete their degrees – both those who have already met degree requirements and those who are close to finishing and want to benefit from greater marketability and higher wages that come from earning a diploma.
“Helping Idaho’s working adults finish their degrees is not only fulfilling but also speaks to the foundational mission of Idaho’s land-grant university,” said Traci Craig, College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences associate dean. “We know that a college degree results in myriad financial, personal and health benefits over a graduate’s lifetime.”
To qualify for an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree, former students must have completed 60 credits, including all general education requirements. To qualify for a bachelor’s degree, students must have 120 credits, including all general education requirements.
To learn more, email degreedoctor@uidaho.edu.
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Media Contact
Traci Craig
Associate Dean
College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences
208-885-5254
tcraig@uidaho.edu
About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho, home of the Vandals, is Idaho’s land-grant, national research university. From its residential campus in Moscow, U of I serves the state of Idaho through educational centers in Boise, Coeur d’Alene and Idaho Falls, nine research and Extension centers, plus Extension offices in 42 counties. Home to nearly 11,000 students statewide, U of I is a leader in student-centered learning and excels at interdisciplinary research, service to businesses and communities, and in advancing diversity, citizenship and global outreach. U of I competes in the Big Sky and Western Athletic conferences. Learn more at uidaho.edu.