BOONE, N.C. — Leadership from Wilkes Community College (WCC) and Appalachian State University have announced a new agreement that will create a seamless pathway for students who want to begin their studies at the community college and complete their degree at App State.

“This most recent alliance with the community college is one of many early inclusion and college access partnerships we have with Wilkes County,” said App State Chancellor Sheri Everts. “Providing an open door to higher education for North Carolinians is a role we are proud to fulfill and one that is essential to our state’s workforce and economic development.”

Aspire Appalachian is a co-admission program through which students from WCC who meet the eligibility requirements and complete the program are guaranteed admission into App State, where they can study to earn a bachelor’s degree. Eligibility requirements for the program include a 2.25 GPA and the completion of a two-year associate program from WCC.

App State also offers Aspire Appalachian students academic and financial aid advising in order to maximize their educational achievements and minimize student debt.

App State Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Heather Hulburt Norris said, “We are excited to offer uninterrupted access to a four-year degree for Wilkes Community College students through the Aspire Appalachian program. This program will allow students to further their academic interests and prepare to enter the workforce as critical thinkers and doers.”

“I am really excited to be able to tell all of our Wilkes Community College students that if they follow the Aspire program guidelines, they will be guaranteed admission to Appalachian when they complete their associate degrees at Wilkes Community College,” said WCC President Dr. Jeff Cox. “Our students who do transfer to App State are very successful when they get there — we just have to get more students in that transfer pipeline to finish their bachelor’s degrees, and this program will help us reach that goal!”

This past fall, 1,459 transfer students enrolled at App State — 70% came from a North Carolina community college. The degree completion rate for students who transferred to App State after graduating from North Carolina community colleges is more than 20% above the national average.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Online and Transfer Services

Online and Transfer Services supports transfer students at all stages of their education — from initial inquiry, throughout their transition to Appalachian, and during their academic and social journey. Please let us know how we can assist you.

Learn more

Reimagined App State residence hall to offer community for transfer students

Feb. 5, 2021

Beginning this fall, students who are transferring into Appalachian State University will have the opportunity to live in the university’s first residence hall designated for transfer students.

Read the story

About the Division of Enrollment Management

The Division of Enrollment Management at Appalachian State University is responsible for planning, implementing, assessing and providing services and programs that promote student success — from pre-enrollment through graduation. The division comprises the Office of Admissions, Office of the Registrar, Office of Transfer Admissions and Engagement, and Office of Student Financial Aid and University Scholarships. Learn more at https://em.appstate.edu.

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 the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, 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.