Blinn freshman will stay close to home as she pursues criminal justice degree from Tarleton at RELLIS

‘I have nine universities in my backyard offering me bachelor’s degree options,’ says Rykeysha Dill

May 14, 2018

When Blinn College freshman Rykeysha Dill first learned about the RELLIS Academic Alliance, she thought the concept was too good to be true.

Living with her mother in Bryan, the criminal justice major had plans to transfer to Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, but was dreading the commute that came with the decision.  Enrolling in Blinn courses at the RELLIS Campus allows Dill to earn her associate degree, before transferring to Tarleton State University on the same campus to complete her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, all while staying close to family and friends.

“My first thought was that this is too good to be true,” Dill said. “I soon realized it was a great opportunity for students like me who do not want to move far from Bryan-College Station to attend a university. I have nine universities in my backyard offering me bachelor’s degree options.”

Located in Bryan, the RELLIS Campus fosters cutting-edge research, technology development, higher education and workforce training. Through the Academic Alliance, students can complete their freshman- and sophomore-level courses through Blinn College, and seamlessly complete their bachelor’s degree in related fields from an A&M System regional university, including Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Prairie View A&M University, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M International University, West Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University-Texarkana, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and Texas A&M University-Central Texas.

Blinn will open the Walter C. Schwartz Building, a new 83,000-square-foot facility at the RELLIS Campus, for the Fall 2018 semester. All RELLIS students will utilize the 19 classrooms and eight laboratories during the first academic year.

The Texas A&M System’s academic facility, located across the street from Blinn’s facility at RELLIS, is scheduled for completion in June 2019. Upper-division RELLIS students will complete their bachelor’s degrees at the facility upon its completion.

University and RELLIS representatives have visited the Blinn-Bryan Campus throughout the semester to share information regarding the upcoming bachelor’s degree programs available at RELLIS.

“They did a great job walking me through my course schedule and helping me understand what life will be like at RELLIS,” Dill said. “I stop and ask them questions every time they are in the Student Center or visiting my classes.”

Tarleton’s Bachelor of Science in criminal justice offers courses that prepare students for career entry or promotion in a variety of criminal justice areas, as well as federal employment and/or graduate study. Dill, who plans to pursue a career as a probation officer or a Child Protective Services (CPS) caseworker, looks forward to interacting with faculty comprised of police officers, correctional staff, and criminal law professionals. Faculty integrate textbook material with professional practices, providing valuable insights into the justice system.

“It is so exciting to be among the first students to attend RELLIS,” Dill said. “I am looking forward to seeing how beautiful and innovative this campus is going to be.”

The RELLIS Academic Alliance will host three academic Transfer Fairs at the RELLIS Campus this summer. Representatives will be available to speak to prospective students on the following dates:

• May 24; 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; 2 to 4 p.m.
• June 28; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• July 26; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.