Stronger Pathways from CCC to East Carolina University
Qualified CCC graduates are guaranteed admission into ECU’s Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology program.
Cleveland Community College and East Carolina University have strengthened educational pathways for students in Cleveland County with a new transfer agreement signed on January 28 in ECU’s Science and Technology Building.
The partnership guarantees admission to ECU’s Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT) program for qualified CCC graduates, opening new opportunities for local students to earn a four-year degree while staying close to home.
“This is going to mean so much to the students that we serve,” said Dr. Jason Hurst, president of Cleveland Community College. “We love our graduates to stay home, and I know that the employers that are in our community are going to love the fact that our students can stay home should they choose to do that. This is a wonderful opportunity.”
Under the agreement, CCC graduates who earn an Associate in Applied Science degree in one of 10 technical or business fields with at least a 2.0 GPA are eligible for guaranteed admission to ECU, with up to 75 credit hours transferred toward their bachelor’s degree. Eligible programs include air conditioning, heating and refrigeration technology; industrial systems; information technology; electrical systems; business administration; and more.
ECU’s BSIT program offers seven areas of study, including industrial management, distribution and logistics, cybersecurity technology, and mechanical design. Five of those concentrations can be completed entirely online, which allows students with jobs and families to continue working while they finish their degree.
“We’re especially excited to forge stronger connections with community colleges in the western part of the state,” said Stephanie George, dean of ECU’s College of Engineering and Technology. “This really demonstrates our partnership and our commitment to the entire state, not just the region that we’re in.”
Dr. Allen Guidry, ECU’s associate provost for learner operations, emphasized ECU’s commitment to transfer student success, highlighting seamless onboarding and coordinated support throughout students’ degree journeys.
Hurst added that the partnership reflects a shared mission to support student achievement. “I can’t tell you how appreciative we are to ECU for this partnership,” he said. “It just really says so much about the trust that you have in the work that we do… We are excited about this partnership and can’t wait to see where it goes from here.”
ECU has signed similar BSIT agreements with several community colleges across the state, expanding access to four-year degree opportunities for students throughout North Carolina.