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Adult Student Realizes Dream with 2+2 Program
Debra DeProspero
Department: Education
Class: 2013
Debra DeProspero always knew she wanted to be a teacher, but she didn’t think she had what it took to earn a college degree. Through the 2+2 program between Otterbein and Columbus State Community College (CSCC), she transferred to Otterbein and is now a Middle Childhood Education major, with concentrations in math and science.

“I really had a difficult time in high school, just like a lot of people. I was very sick, missed a lot of school, grades weren’t the best; I did not feel that I was smart enough to be the teacher that I had always wanted to be. I took a year off right out of high school, and then decided to go to CSCC that following fall quarter. That was the best possible decision that I could have made,” she explains.

Through the 2+2 program, students at Columbus State can complete an associate’s degree and have it count toward a bachelor’s degree at Otterbein. Students meet with an advisor from Otterbein as they progress through their associate’s degree to ensure they are following the curriculum. Advisors are also available for academic support and will be onsite at the downtown and Columbus State Delaware campus locations periodically or students may meet with them on Otterbein’s campus.

Students in the 2+2 program with associate’s degrees who transfer to Otterbein as a full-time student are eligible for a $3,000-$4,000 Bridge Scholar Award. Selection is based on cumulative GPA. Besides the opportunity with the Bridge scholarship students can also be evaluated for other scholarships upon review of their admission to Otterbein.

Bachelor’s degrees can be completed in the following disciplines by transferring from the 2+2 program at Columbus State:

  • Journalism and Media Communication
  • Communication Studies
  • Public Relations
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Middle Childhood Education
  • Veterinarian Technology
  • Art – Digital Photography concentration
  • Physics

Debra enrolled at CSCC fall of 2011. “My advisor at the Delaware campus told me how easy it would be to transfer to Otterbein. I spoke briefly with Mark Moffitt in the Adult and Transfer office at Otterbein, as well as Keith Coates at the Delaware Campus of CSCC,” she said.

She followed the curriculum closely while enrolled at CSCC. Debra said, “Transferring here to Otterbein was super easy. I fell in love with Otterbein and Columbus State was key in giving me the confidence and fresh start I needed to get here. Being here at Otterbein, I just feel like for once, I am exactly where I need to be in my life; I could not have gotten here without the amazingly smooth transition program between CSCC and Otterbein.”

An open house for adult and transfer prospective students will take place on Thursday, Jan. 3. Registration starts at 5:30 p.m. with the program at 6 p.m. To register, visit www.otterbein.edu/openhouse.

Spring semester begins Jan. 28. Apply online at www.otterbein.edu/apply. Call 614-823-1356, e-mail cardinalinfo@otterbein.edu, or visit www.otterbein.edu/earndegree to meet with an adviser.