Greensboro, N.C., Aug. 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) today announced two new co-admission agreements with Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC) and Alamance Community College (ACC) to facilitate degree completion and bolster student success by improving access to undergraduate and graduate educational resources, university facilities and support systems.
Unlike other traditional four-year, community college co-admission agreements, the UNCG-GTCC-ACC partnerships are unique: the GTCC “G²"(Gsquared) partnership expands opportunities for transfer students to access and complete their baccalaureate degrees in a selection of popular majors. These efforts capitalize on two recent academic innovations:
- First, the recent selection of GTCC and UNCG to participate in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Frontier Set project, which is focused on improving student success and postsecondary degree attainment;
- Second, the ACC “Spartan Passage” partnership, which offers an accelerated master’s program in six different disciplines as well as a comprehensive undergraduate program.
“This new partnership is designed to bridge the gap for students in our state, making it easier and more affordable for them to get their degree in a shorter timeframe, and get them into the workforce sooner,” said UNC system President Margaret Spellings. “For students, for the business community, for our economy and beyond, this initiative is a win-win for the state of NC. Together, we are setting the stage for a successful future.”
“At UNCG, we are dedicated to improving our transfer student graduation rates,” said UNCG Chancellor Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr. “Partnerships like these are essential to delivering results that benefit our students, our communities and our state. On one hand, they enable us to offer expanded educational opportunities to community college students at a tremendous cost-savings – because reducing student debt is a top priority. On the other hand, we know that creating a seamless transition from the community college environment to a four-year institution has direct, tangible benefits to student success. This collaboration with GTCC and ACC will produce a greater number of qualified graduates for our workforce."
“As pioneers in improving student success in learning, and in credential and degree completion, partnering with UNCG on this endeavor allows us to build upon both of our institutions’ strengths to advance our mission of strengthening pathways to transfer and completion,” said GTCC President Dr. Randy Parker. “This co-admission agreement with UNCG further demonstrates our ongoing commitment to significantly increase student success rates and impact the lives and careers of our students.”
“We at Alamance Community College are very grateful and excited to partner with UNCG on this initiative that creates a pathway for many of our students to qualify for guaranteed admission and accessibility to The University of North Carolina at Greensboro,” said ACC President Dr. Algie Gatewood. “I commend Chancellor Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr. and the other excellent personnel at UNCG for working so collaboratively with our staff on this partnership. We look forward to maximizing the benefit of this agreement and forging new opportunities for our students to advance from the associate degree at Alamance Community College to earn the bachelor’s degree through The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.”
Application for the “G²” and “Spartan Passage” programs have been streamlined to benefit students; one application, with a waived application fee for UNCG; access to campus facilities, events, activities and services, including the UNCG University Library (in-house and online); the new Leonard J. Kaplan Center for Wellness; academic advising, financial aid, among other benefits. For more information, visit: admissions.uncg.edu/apply-coadmissions-programs.php.
The need for these programs is clear. According to research from the Community College Research Center at Columbia University’s Teachers College, and the Aspen Institute, approximately 80 percent of incoming community college students begin with the goal of eventually earning a four-year degree. Yet just 14 percent do so within six years.*
About The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, is a higher-research activity university as classified by the Carnegie Foundation. Founded in 1891 and one of the original three UNC system institutions, UNCG is one of the most diverse universities in the state with more than 20,000 students and over 2,700 faculty and staff members representing more than 90 nationalities. With 17 Division I athletic teams, 85 undergraduate degrees in over 100 areas of study, as well as 74 master’s and 32 doctoral programs, UNCG is consistently recognized nationally among the top universities for academic excellence and value, with noted strengths in health and wellness, visual and performing arts, nursing, education, and more. For additional information, please visit uncg.edu and follow UNCG on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Guilford Technical Community College
Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC) is the fourth largest of the state’s 58 community colleges, serving more than 35,000 students annually through its six campuses. This includes the main location at Jamestown and additional locations in Greensboro, High Point and Colfax. In addition, the Aviation Campus in Greensboro comprises three specialized aviation centers, and the College operates two small business centers. GTCC is committed to providing access to lifelong learning opportunities for personal growth, workforce productivity, and community service. GTCC proudly serves all the diverse segments of Guilford County’s population, delivering quality educational programs and services, through partnerships with businesses, community groups, and other educational institutions. GTCC boasts a comprehensive educational program including 93 degrees, 25 diplomas, and 74 certificates from approximately 90 unique programs. Learn more at www.gtcc.edu.
About Alamance Community College
Alamance Community College, founded in 1958, was among North Carolina’s first community colleges. It provides students opportunities to earn degrees and certificates in more than 40 educational programs, including University Transfer, biotechnology, culinary arts, nursing, business administration, machining, and horticulture. ACC’s mission is to prepare students for employment in a 21st century global economy. High school students get a head start on their education or job training through Early College, Career and College Promise, and Career Accelerator Program apprenticeships. For more information, please visit: alamancecc.edu.
About The Frontier Set
The Frontier Set is a new model of partnership and sharing of best practices to improve student outcomes in higher education. The network brings together a diverse set of high-performing two-and four-year colleges, organizations, and state systems that are already pioneers in transforming the way they operate to improve student success in learning, credential/degree completion, and transition to the labor market. The Frontier Set is an integral part of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s effort to increase postsecondary credential and degree attainment. For more information: http://postsecondary.gatesfoundation.org/frontier-set-fact-sheet/
* Inside Higher Ed; Fain, Paul (Demanding Results on Transfer, May 9, 2017)
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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4bcaa376-a5dc-4ff3-8bad-3236d50d1676
Attachments:
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ebe9c363-bdfb-441e-aa12-b0dde0bb785a