Goddard College Launches New Bachelor of Arts Degrees

Port Townsend, WA — By the time Nicole J. Persun graduated from high school, she had signed a book contract for her debut novel A Kingdom’s Obsession.

A graduate of Jefferson Community School in Port Townsend, she had spent a few productive quarters at Peninsula Community College and the book came out in August 2011.

What she lacked was the chance to obtain her BA degree locally and further her writing study. The Port Townsend area did not have the appropriate BA Program. So she transferred to Goddard College in tiny Plainfield, Vermont, to pursue her writing.

“It is just what I needed,” Nicole says. “The program meets the needs of the modern student. It is flexible for working people, affordable and tailored to my passion.”

But now Goddard has moved dramatically to meet the needs of students all over the northwest. The college is launching three new BA programs on July 15 at an Open House hosted by Academic Vice President Marianne Reiff in Port Townsend.

Reiff will welcome past, present and future students and faculty to the Port Townsend Campus to announce the expansion of their degree programs to include bachelor’s degrees in Sustainability, Health Arts and Sciences, and Individualized Studies.

The Open House takes place Sunday, July 15, from 2 – 5 p.m. at the USO Hall at Fort Worden State Park.

“These programs fill a major need in the area,” Persun said. “For people in this area, it gives them access to great programs at an affordable price. I wish it had been available when I was looking.”

Goddard President Barbara Vacarr said Goddard is the ideal college to launch these programs.

“This is a our sweet spot,” she said. “As higher education continues to be out of reach for most Americans, Goddard now offers affordable, high-quality BA programs in the Port Townsend area. We are excited to launch these new programs, and we have skilled admissions counselors ready to help students get started this fall.”

The launch will include a panel discussion on Transforming Perspectives: Voices from the Goddard Experience, featuring current students and faculty, including Persun.

Nicole transferred into Goddard College’s IBA2 program. She is currently studying the presence of literary writing in genre fiction, and plans to later transfer into Goddard’s BFA program for Creative Writing.

In addition to the panel discussion, prospective students can meet with faculty and staff, hear from alumni and current students about their experience, speak with admissions counselors, explore scholarship opportunities and learn more about all the bachelor’s and master’s degrees offered through Goddard College.

Goddard is renowned for its low-residency BA and Masters programs in a variety of fields, including creative writing.

About Goddard College

The mission of Goddard College is to advance cultures of rigorous inquiry, collaboration and lifelong learning, where individuals take imaginative and responsible action in the world.

Goddard College was chartered in 1938 at its Plainfield, Vermont campus by founding President Royce “Tim” Pitkin. In 1963, Goddard became the first American college to offer adult-degree programs, and now specializes in MA, MFA, BA and BFA low-residency education. Offering accredited degree programs from campuses in Plainfield, Vermont and both Seattle and Port Townsend, Washington, Goddard’s low-residency format offers the best of on-campus and distance education, with experienced faculty advisors, rigorous on-campus residencies, and the freedom to study from anywhere.

Note: While Goddard College encourages support of Washington State Parks, a Discover Pass is NOT needed to attend this event.