A determined mind, solid work-ethic, and educational opportunities helped Dr. Lana Bates Atchley ’86 achieve her career goals.

As a high school cheerleader, Atchley became familiar with Birmingham-Southern College through an annual cheer camp, and developed an appreciation for the campus. But she realized early on that she would not be able to afford the traditional path to a four-year school, and that junior college was a practical choice.

She attended Calhoun Community College, where she was selected to receive Alabama’s Most Outstanding Junior College Student Scholarship from BSC. By combining her newly earned scholarship with working three jobs, she was able to transfer to BSC after her sophomore year.

Atchley became an expert in time management. She was a student worker in then-BSC President Dr. Neal Berte’s office, a resident assistant for the Virginia Goodwin Residence Hall, and drove home on weekends to wait tables. Yet she still found time to get involved with the College.

She held positions in the Student Government Association, was a member of the Mortar Board Honors Society, and frequently participated in intramurals. She was able to graduate with increased experience in leadership and determination.

While completing her Master of Arts in Education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a professor encouraged her to pursue a career in dentistry. To make ends meet, Atchley maintained three jobs throughout her time at the University of Alabama School of Dentistry, working part-time at UAB, participating in paid medical studies, and working as a nanny.

In 2011, Atchley opened a dental practice in Phenix City, Ala., specializing in family and cosmetic dentistry, where she is well-respected by her employees and her patients.

She believes that transferring to BSC was the right decision for her, especially due to the tremendously high acceptance rate of BSC graduates into professional schools.

“I was the first in my whole family to go to college, and I think there are a wealth of people just like me,” says Atchley. “I know there are a lot of students with lots of potential at junior colleges that may not be aware of the opportunities provided by schools like BSC.”

Due to efforts such as increased articulation agreements with local community colleges, BSC welcomed its largest incoming transfer group ever. More than 40 percent of the 57 transfer students arriving in August – up from 44 transfer students last year – came to BSC from a community college. (Fifty-eight percent transferred from other four-year institutions.)

BSC has articulation agreements with 10 two-year colleges, including Bevill State Community College, Calhoun Community College, Chattahoochee Valley Community College, Coastal Alabama Community College, Jefferson State Community College, Lawson State Community College, Northeast Alabama State Community College, Snead State Community College, and Wallace State Community College. BSC signed its newest articulation agreement with Gadsden State Community College in August.

Statistics show that nearly half of all college students nationwide complete part of their academic work at two-year colleges. BSC’s partnerships will provide increased opportunities for hard-working students who want to complete a four-year degree.

“BSC is making the transfer process more efficient and transparent through articulation agreements. Now students who started their education somewhere else can more easily transfer to BSC and complete their bachelor’s degree in our personalized academic environment,” President Daniel B. Coleman says.