NCC President Supports Revised Community Colleges, Independent Colleges and Universities Transfer Agreement

North Carolina Community College System President, Dr. R. Scott Ralls and Dr. A. Hope Williams, President of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, signed a revised Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (ICAA) between the two systems last week. Nash Community College President, Dr. Bill Carver, attended the event held at William Peace University in support of the revised agreement.

President Carver was invited to attend the ceremony because of his longstanding commitment to supporting the ease of transfer for community college students who successfully meet the requirements for entry into four-year universities and colleges. “My position has always been that leaders in higher education should work to remove barriers to education and provide a seamless transition for students who work hard and demonstrate their commitment and academic achievement in pursuit of transfer studies,” Dr. Bill Carver said.

Under the revised ICAA, students’ options for transferring between community colleges and the independent institutions that adopt the agreement will be more defined and easier to follow, providing a clearer pathway to educational achievement. The signing represents an unprecedented alignment among all higher education in North Carolina. In February 2014, the State Board of Community Colleges and the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina system, signed a similar agreement, updating guidelines that have saved students and families both time and money, and that have stretched taxpayer-funded dollars. The addition of at least 21 independent colleges and universities brings the three higher education systems into stronger alignment regarding transfer credits, a positive in both financial and attainment terms for North Carolinians seeking a baccalaureate degree.

Approximately 2,000 community college students transfer to one of North Carolina’s 36 independent higher education institutions each year. The revised ICAA will go into effect for new college transfer students in the fall of 2015 at the following signatory colleges:

Barton College

Belmont Abbey College

Bennett College

Brevard College

Campbell University

Chowan University

Guilford College

Lees-McRae College

Lenoir-Rhyne University

Livingstone College

Mars Hill University

Meredith College

Methodist University

Montreat College

North Carolina Wesleyan College

Pfeiffer University

Salem College

Shaw University

St. Andrews University

University of Mount Olive

William Peace University

Wingate University