Mount Olive College to ease path for community college transfers
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on July 23, 2008 1:48 PM
RALEIGH--Mount Olive College is among the 24 private colleges and universities in the state included in a comprehensive articulation agreement allowing community college graduates an easier transfer path.
Community college system president Scott Ralls and independent colleges and universities president Hope Williams signed the agreement on Friday.
The agreement parallels the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement between the community college system and UNC system that went into effect in 1997.
It defines a block of courses to transfer without case-by-case analysis and guarantees junior status for the transferring students. It also encourages community college students to complete an associate degree before transferring to a four-year institution.
According to Dr. Williams, 2,135 community college students transferred to a private college or university last year, noting that they were well prepared for the baccalaureate experience.
"I can't imagine a state with more education opportunities than North Carolina," said Dr. Ralls. "This agreement is an indication of the collaborative relationship that exists between our institutions and helps to provide a more seamless transition for our community college students to a four-year degree."
The majority of community college students are adult learners with work and family responsibilities. Many private colleges and universities offer adult completion programs designed to meet the needs of such students, often featuring night and weekend classes.
While 24 of the 36 private colleges and universities have signed on to participate in the effort, Dr. Williams said, the other 12 institutions have existing bilateral agreements with individual community colleges that remain in effect.
The complete list of signatory institutions includes: Barton College, Belmont Abbey College, Bennett College for Women, Brevard College, Campbell University, Catawba College, Chowan University, Gardner-Webb University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lees-McRae, Livingstone College, Louisburg College, Mars Hill College, Montreat College, Mount Olive College, North Carolina Wesleyan College, Peace College, Pfeiffer University, Queens University of Charlotte, St. Andrews Presbyterian College, Saint Augustine's College, Shaw University, Warren Wilson College and Wingate University.