A new partnership between UNC Pembroke and Robeson Community College (RCC) will create a seamless path for aspiring teachers to become part of the state’s teacher pipeline. The initiative is designed to recruit teachers who have a desire to serve their communities.
Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings and RCC President Melissa Singler launched the Brave Educator Grow Your Own Initiative during a signing event at RCC on June 24.
“This partnership is a step forward to promote a pipeline of well-trained, experienced and educated teachers who will stay in Robeson County, to educate and inspire the next generation of teachers, doctors, engineers, scientists–the leaders of tomorrow,” Cummings said.
The agreement allows two new pathways for students wishing to pursue a career in education. Beginning in the fall, RCC students may choose to complete either an Associate in Arts or an Associate in Science in Teacher Preparation degree before transferring to UNCP to complete a major in the Educator Preparation Program (EPP).
“Teachers are the forefront of education and vital to our schools and community. We [RCC] are committed to serving the needs of Robeson County, and this partnership is making it more affordable than ever to obtain a bachelor’s degree to become a teacher,” said Singler.
Dr. Loury Floyd, dean of the School of Education at UNCP, also spoke during the signing, saying that we [UNCP] are looking to our community college partners to assist us with keeping the statewide teacher shortage from becoming even more acute.
“This collaborative partnership has the power to create new opportunities for students interested in becoming teachers. This includes access to our NC Promise tuition rate, assistance with identifying financial support and scholarships, personalizing academic advising, offering core education course sections with seamless transferability, quality field experiences, training for career fairs and interviews, and assistance in finding employment in Robeson County Schools.”
In his closing remarks, Cummings commented that partnerships like these are vitally important for the continued growth of southeastern North Carolina’s economy and essential to leverage the power and potential of RCC and UNCP to improve the lives of students and move the region forward.
