Danville Community College (DCC) and Old Dominion University (ODU) inked an agreement at a signing event on April 18, 2025, that establishes a seamless transfer pathway for students enrolled in DCC’s Integrated Machining Technology (IMT) Program to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology with a concentration in Manufacturing Engineering Technology at ODU. IMT is a nationally acclaimed advanced third-year training program instructed by DCC and housed and financed by the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR).
Under this agreement, students who complete the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Integrated Machining Technology via the DCC-IALR partnership will be eligible to transfer approximately 70 course credits to ODU. Students will then complete an additional 71-74 credits at ODU to earn their bachelor’s degree, creating a streamlined, cost-effective educational pathway for those seeking advanced credentials in the manufacturing field.
“This agreement represents an incredible opportunity for our students to build on the high-level technical skills they’ve gained in DCC’s Integrated Machining Technology program and take the next step toward leadership and innovation in advanced manufacturing,” said Melissa Mann, Dean of Career and Technical Education at Danville Community College. “We are proud to partner with Old Dominion University to provide our graduates with a clear, attainable route to a bachelor’s degree.”
From left to right: Dr. Vukica Jovanovic, Chair of the Department of Engineering Technology, Old Dominion University; DCC Interim President Cornelius Johnson; DCC Dean of Career and Technical Education Melissa Mann; IALR Vice President of Strategic Initiatives Amanda Hylton; IALR Executive Vice President of Manufacturing Advancement Jason Wells; IALR President Telly Tucker.
The agreement is designed to eliminate transfer barriers, promote academic progression, and support the growing demand for highly trained professionals in Virginia’s manufacturing sector.
Dr. Gabriel Olmstead, Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs & Student Services at DCC, emphasized the impact of the agreement on workforce development:
“This transfer pathway not only supports our students’ academic goals, but also strengthens the regional and statewide workforce by preparing highly skilled, credentialed graduates ready to lead in advanced manufacturing environments.”
Dr. Cornelius Johnson, Interim President of Danville Community College, celebrated the partnership as a step forward in higher education collaboration. “We are deeply grateful for this partnership with Old Dominion University and the IALR. Together, we are investing in students, in innovation, and in the future of Virginia’s economy,” said Johnson. “This agreement exemplifies what can be achieved when institutions come together with a shared vision for student success.”
“This partnership with ODU validates the high level of training our students receive in the Integrated Machining Technology program,” said Brandon Furgurson, IMT Professor at Danville Community College. “It’s a great feeling to know that our graduates can now transition directly into a bachelor’s degree program that builds on their hands-on experience and prepares them for advanced roles in the manufacturing industry.”
“As an electrician myself, I strongly believe in creating accessible engineering pathways and promoting affordable education that allows students to graduate with less debt,” said Dr. Vukica Jovanovic, Chair and Full Professor for the Department of Engineering Technology at Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology at ODU. “We’re proud to support alternative routes to becoming engineers through our degree completion programs – especially programs like Manufacturing Engineering Technology, which are available through ODU Global.”
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The first of its kind in Virginia, ODU’s Manufacturing Engineering Technology degree pathway originally launched in 2022 as part of the Virginia Maritime Industrial Base Consortium’s (VMIBC) “Talent Pipeline Initiative.” VMIBC includes ODU, IALR, DCC, Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC) and others. P&HCC worked with ODU to develop the associate degree curriculum for the Virginia Community College System, and IALR is continuing discussions with ODU to provide future on-site classes in support of the program. IALR also houses and finances IMT, instructed by DCC and the latest pathway addition for the associate and bachelor’s degrees.
“Our partnership with DCC to deliver the IMT program has contributed a phenomenal impact – from enhancing students’ lives with high-paying jobs to meeting industry’s need for a high-quality workforce,” said Telly Tucker, President, IALR. “Helping both of these groups excel even further, thanks to ODU and others, will be a tremendous asset for our region – one we look forward to making more accessible in the coming years.”
This articulation agreement is now in effect and will apply to all students currently enrolled in or entering the DCC Integrated Machining Technology program at IALR who wish to pursue further study with ODU.
“This new transfer pathway builds on the strong foundation we’ve already established through our partnerships with local K-12 programs like George Washington High School and the Pittsylvania Career and Technical Center,” said Kevin Poole, Precision Machining Technology Professor at Danville Community College. “Now, students who begin their training in high school can see a direct line to a bachelor’s degree and a rewarding career in advanced manufacturing. It’s a full-circle opportunity that sets them up for long-term success.”
“This transfer agreement gives our students a clear path to continue growing both academically and professionally,” said Joshua McDowell, Precision Machining Instructor at Danville Community College. “They’re not just learning to run machines—they’re developing the foundation to become the next generation of manufacturing engineers and industry leaders.”
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