MTSU official touts value of college degree

Over 60,000 Tennesseans started but never completed their college education, leaving school without a degree that could earn them thousands of dollars more each year.

According to Middle Tennessee State University adult services director Lance Ikard, the 60,000 number is probably a low estimate with the actual number of college dropouts in the hundreds of thousands. It is those students, who never attained a degree, who are being recruited back into the system to finish what they started. The benefits, Ikard said, can be many.

‘The mere fact you got your ticket punched (a college degree) opens doors for you,’ Ikard told members of McMinnville’s Noon Exchange Club during their meeting Tuesday. ‘Studies have shown there is a large jump in the average salaries of persons even when it comes to the difference of having a two-year associates degree and a four-year bachelor’s degree.’

Ikard said he works with many non-traditional students, those who are not in college right out of high school, and they tell the same story of why they never finished their higher education.

‘They always tell me that life got in the way,’ Ikard said. ‘Nine times out of 10, it was a baby, either they got pregnant or their girlfriend got pregnant. And then there are those who left due to their jobs.’

Along with helping with personal development, finishing a college degree can benefit the person’s entire community.

Prior to going to work for MTSU, Ikard said he worked with human resources with Firestone and Saturn, and part of his job was identifying communities for factories and offices to locate.

‘The first thing we look for in site selection in locating a business is education of the residents and the number of college degrees in a community,’ Ikard said, noting many areas are passed over due to educational concerns.

While pointing to the number of college dropouts, Ikard said it is not too late for people to continue and complete their education. And, Ikard said, the good news is many people, during their careers, have been compiling college credits and do not even realize it.

‘Lots of things like military service, job training and even attending Hamburger U. can earn college credits,’ Ikard said, noting those credits can help reduce the amount of hours needed for graduation.

Along with credits, Ikard said MTSU has made getting a degree flexible for non-traditional students with most, if not all, classes needed for graduation available online so students can proceed at their own pace while keeping their present careers.

Ikard is encouraging any person interested in continuing their education to contact MTSU adult services at 1-615-898-2177.