NCCU seeking to triple community college transfers

Black Issues in Higher Education, Nov 4, 2004

DURHAM, N.C.

North Carolina Central University is freeing up scholarship money and tweaking its course requirements as it tries to triple the number of community college transfer students within five years.

"It's a fertile pool of qualified students for the baccalaureate," Chancellor James H. Ammons said.

More than 72,000 North Carolina community college students were preparing last year to transfer to four-year universities, according to data from the North Carolina Community College System.

At least 12,000 of those students attended the five community colleges closest to NCCU.

About 300 community college transfer students are attending NCCU this year, but Ammons said he wants that number to reach 1,000 before the end of the decade.

NCCU leaders made their most visible attempt yet to boost those numbers by hosting dozens of community college leaders from around the state for a forum on the school's specialized programs and ways to partner with two-year programs to smooth the transition to the university.

The administrators talked about the university's programs in biotechnology and biomanufacturing being natural draws for students seeking employment in a growing industry.

The school also offers qualified students who maintain a 3.0 grade point average while earning their two-year associate's degree a $2,000 scholarship to attend NCCU, said LuAnn Edmonds-Harris, an admissions officer. A 3.5 grade point average can net a $3,000 scholarship.

"There are moneys available for transfer students," Edmonds-Harris said. "Please get them to us."

--Associated Press