This content is brought to you in partnership with WGU North Carolina, an accredited online university offering affordable and personalized online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
On May 1, 2018, Peter Hans was sworn in as the ninth president of the North Carolina Community College System. In doing so, he assumed leadership of the third largest community college system in the nation, encompassing 58 individual campuses and enrolling more than 710,000 students annually.
With a mission to “open the door to high-quality, accessible educational opportunities that minimize barriers to post-secondary education, maximize student success, develop a globally and multi-culturally competent workforce, and improve the lives and well-being of individuals,” the state’s community college system has been an important factor in North Carolina’s workforce development since the late 1950s.
Statewide impact
In addition to offering vocational and degree programs, community colleges assist more than 500 North Carolina companies with customized training and industry-support services annually. According to Matthew Meyer, associate vice president, business engagement, national and international partnerships for the NC Community College System, the colleges also have a growing apprenticeship program, ApprenticeshipNC, that is the authorizing agency for all registered apprenticeships in North Carolina.
Often overshadowed by the University of North Carolina System and its 17 campuses, community colleges in North Carolina contribute greatly to the state’s economy. About 40% of wage earners in North Carolina received education or training at a community college over the past 10 years. Former students have contributed a cumulative $19.6 billion in added state income, the equivalent to creating more than 322,000 new jobs.
The community college system played a critical role in the state’s recovery from the Great Recession in 2008-10. Despite a 22% decrease in funding, the system experienced a 25% increase in enrollment. Scott Ralls, former system president and incoming Wake Technical Community College president, even referred to the community college system as the state’s “economic and workforce cavalry.”
“This is still true today,” Meyer adds. “Even in a good economy, the community colleges respond with innovative programming to meet current and future workforce needs.”
Burgeoning partnerships
As an accredited nonprofit online university offering more than 60 bachelor’s and master’s degrees, WGU works to establish relationships with community colleges nationwide in order to assist their students and staff who are pursuing higher education. In 2018, about 281 students who attended 51 North Carolina community colleges enrolled in WGU.
Graduates of U.S. community colleges who are seeking to enroll in WGU can expect a comprehensive transfer policy. Those who have earned Associate of Arts or Associate of Sciences degrees usually qualify for an Upper-Division standing at WGU. This allows them to waive up to 40 WGU Competency Units, equal to 60 quarterly credit hours, in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree.
WGU North Carolina has signed memorandums of understanding with McDowell Technical Community College, Wayne Community College, Richmond Community College, Piedmont Community College and Brunswick Community College, with several more expected in the coming months. Staff and graduates of partner community colleges typically receive a 5 percent discount on WGU tuition. WGU works with each institution to establish Transfer Pathways.
“As part of the Transfer Pathways program, graduates of partner community colleges will be able to transfer credits toward degrees in WGU’s four colleges,” says Jason Caldwell, strategic partnerships manager with WGU North Carolina who works primarily with community colleges. “That helps to ensure that they don’t have to repeat any coursework because their curriculum has already been vetted by WGU.”
Students who have completed some community college coursework but who have not earned a degree might be able to transfer some credits pending a transcript evaluation by WGU. Depending on their specific degree program, they might qualify for some credit requirement waivers.
“Studies show that North Carolina’s job growth will outstrip our population growth by the year 2024,” says Catherine Truitt, WGU North Carolina chancellor. “North Carolina’s community colleges play a vital role in workforce development in our state, and we look forward to partnering with them to provide an affordable and accessible means for their students to further their education and fill critical job openings in IT, health care, K-12 education and business.”
WGU North Carolina, an online competency-based university, offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs including business, K-12 teacher education, information technology and health professions. Check out their full list of degree programs and admissions guide, sign up for their newsletter, or follow them on social media to jump start your education. If you or someone you know is considering online competency-based education to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree, call 1-866-903-0109 to speak to an enrollment counselor.