Misericordia and Luzerne County Community College officials have reached a new agreement that aims to reduce academic and financial stress for transfer students and their families. This new deal opens a clear and more direct pathway for students seeking to further their education.
Students who complete an associate degree at LCCC will have their core requirements completely waived. Doing this will catapult transfer students directly into their major career paths. This exemption is equivalent to 60 credits, cutting cost and time significantly.
Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success at LCCC, Holly K. Pilcavage, said uncertainty about course requirements was one of the biggest challenges students faced when contemplating transferring to four-year institutions.
“Students are often concerned about repeating courses they’ve already completed or being delayed due to differing general education requirements. This new agreement significantly reduces those concerns by providing clarity and confidence,” Pilcavage said.
Clarity is just one of many essentials the new deal provides. It also demonstrates trust between two local universities that are striving for student success.
Assistant Director of Transfer Admissions Patricia Ross stated that she is “currently in communication with approximately 70 LCCC students for the upcoming fall 2026, spring 2027, and fall 2027 terms.”
Nadia Peimany, a senior business administration major with a marketing specialization, said her experience transferring from LCCC to Misericordia went well under the old policy, but she sees the advantage for future students who will get to take advantage of the new agreement.
“While my transfer experience went smoothly, the new agreement wouldn’t have changed much for me personally. However, I think it’s a great improvement for future transfer students. It provides extra clarity upfront and helps ensure students can focus on their major without worrying about how core requirements will transfer,” Peimany said.
The deal between the two universities comes in the midst of a transition period for higher education. Nationally, according to data obtained by the National Center for Education Statistics and National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, from 2003-2023 enrollment in two-year colleges declined approximately 30%, while undergraduate enrollment declined about 2% at four-year schools, resulting in an approximate 13% total decline in undergraduate enrollment. According to Business Wire, trade school enrollment grew approximately 5% from 2021-2024 and outpaced traditional universities during the same period.
The agreement was officially put into place on Jan. 29, after a press conference hosted by LCCC. Both university presidents spoke extensively about the partnership and what it means for both programs moving forward.
“It’s a win-win-win for LCCC, for Misericordia, and for the students,” Misericordia President Dan Myers said.
Students looking to transfer from LCCC to Misericordia and reap the benefits of this new partnership are able to do so as early as the spring 2026 semester.