UNCP@RCC: Paving the way to four-year degrees

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News

Officials from Richmond Community College (RCC) and UNC Pembroke signed four agreements on July 25 that will ease the transition to a 4-year degree for students with associate’s degrees.

The articulation agreement covers four under- graduate courses of study – criminal justice, business admini-stration, elementary and early childhood education (birth to age eight).

For RCC’s students. the agreement spells out courses that will transfer to UNCP. The university will offer the four programs at RCC and online. For 17 years, UNCP has had an office at RCC and delivered classes as well as complete programs, including graduate programs.

RCC President Dr. Dale McInnis, who called himself a “proud UNCP alumnus,” thanked the university and praised the agreements that he said would make higher education accessible and affordable for residents in the community college’s service area.

“We are very, very excited about moving this partnership forward today,” Dr. McInnis said. “I would like to thank UNCP for engaging with us as equal partners.

“This represents a seamless pathway for our students to a four-year degree,” he continued. “For our graduates, UNCP at RCC is affordable and accessible, right in our backyard.”

Dr. Ken Kitts, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, represented UNCP at the signing.

“While it is fashionable to talk about partnerships between universities and community colleges, this one is a working relationship that goes deeper and is more meaningful than mere talk,” Dr. Kitts said. “Protecting and promoting this relationship is a top institutional priority for us. Dr. McInnis, we look forward to helping your students in their transition to UNCP.”

One key person responsible for transitioning RCC’s students is Julie Layne, UNCP’s representative at the college.

“Making higher education convenient is so important for people who work full time while seeking their degree,” Layne said. “This agreement makes sure the courses they take at RCC will count towards a degree at UNCP.

“The articulation agreement makes advising easier for me,” she continued. “This really does help students.”

At RCC, UNCP is offers undergraduate programs in sociology, criminal justice, elementary education, business administration and the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies. UNCP offers graduate programs in school administration and elementary education.

RCC administrators, including business chair Alan Questell, said UNCP is a good option for their students who are seeking a 4-year degree.

“I have advised many student to advance their career goals at UNCP,” Questell said. “I have taken courses at the university also.”

April Chavis-Johnson, chair of the Public Services Department, noted that the community college was holding registration later in the afternoon.

“In speaking with students this week about this program, I saw their eyes light up,” Chavis-Johnson said. “This agreement has added fuel to their fire for education.”

For more information about UNCP at RCC, go to www.uncp.edu/distance/off-campus/richmond/ or to www.richmondcc.edu/. For advisement, please contact Julie Layne at 910.410.1852 or at julie.layne@uncp.edu.