BOONE, N.C. — Leadership from Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (CCC&TI) and Appalachian State University announced a new co-admission agreement that will create a seamless pathway for students who want to start at CCC&TI and complete their degree at Appalachian.

The Aspire Appalachian Co-Admission Program will provide students who complete a two-year associate degree at CCC&TI with a 2.25 GPA or higher with guaranteed admission to Appalachian to finish their undergraduate degree. Joined by Appalachian State Chancellor Dr. Sheri Everts for the signing ceremony on Appalachian’s campus on Wednesday, Dec. 12, CCC&TI President Dr. Mark Poarch described the agreement as “monumental.”

“I want to thank Chancellor Everts, Provost Kruger and the entire leadership team at Appalachian State University for your vision, for your leadership and for your partnership,” Poarch said. “This is a monumental day for Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. It’s great to be able to demonstrate the collaboration and strength we have in Western North Carolina.”

This past fall, 1,278 transfer students enrolled at Appalachian — seven out of 10 came from a community college.

Describing Aspire Appalachian as an important collaboration, Everts said the agreement represents a continuation and strengthening of the partnership between the two institutions.

“Our strong transfer student numbers are due in large part to the intentional work we do with community colleges,” Everts said. “Appalachian is nationally recognized for the support we provide our transfer students, which leads to their academic success. The completion rate for Appalachian’s graduating students who transferred after graduating from N.C. Community Colleges is more than 20 percent above the national average.”

The agreement, which goes into effect immediately, will create a pathway from CCC&TI to Appalachian that includes academic and financial aid advising support for students, which will prepare them for a successful transition from community college to the university.

Aspire Appalachian students will have up to three years to complete the Associate of Arts, Associate of Science or Associate in Applied Science degrees before enrolling at Appalachian. Aspire students will also benefit from waived application fees at Appalachian, coordinated financial aid programs, coordinated degree completion, and on-site admissions and academic advising.

As co-chair of the Higher Education Task Force for My Future NC, a statewide commission on educational attainment, Everts said she is working with education professionals across the state to address issues of increasing access to education — and decreasing achievement gaps.

“As part of this work,” she said, “the commission is addressing transfer pathways from community colleges to four-year institutions. I am extremely proud to see this strategy put into action through this agreement between CCC&TI and Appalachian.”

Students seeking additional information or wanting to apply for the Aspire Appalachian Co-Admission Program can contact the following individuals:

• Dennis Seagle, CCC&TI director of enrollment management, at 828-726-2705;
• Dr. Kim Van Wie, director of student services at the CCC&TI Watauga Campus in Boone, at 828-297-2185; or
• Jane Rex, director of Appalachian’s Office of Transfer Services, at 828-262-7465.

Transferring to Appalachian

Oct. 15, 2018

For transfer students, Appalachian State University offers a seamless transition and a community dedicated to their success.

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About Transfer Admissions and Engagement

Transfer Admissions and Engagement at Appalachian State University supports students through all stages of their transfer journey, including admission counseling and pretransfer advising, credit evaluation, transitional assistance as they begin at App State and through involvement and retention efforts during their App State education. The office serves undergraduate transfer students studying on the main campus in Boone as well as App State Online students who complete their classes fully online or at an off-site location. The services and resources provided by Transfer Admissions and Engagement ensure the university’s transfer student population finds academic and social success at App State. Learn more at https://transfer.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

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