UMO and Craven Community College Partner to Enhance College Transfer

The University of Mount Olive and Craven Community College

Partner to Enhance College Transfer

MOUNT OLIVE- According to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, 15 percent of community college students who transfer lose nearly all of their credits in the process, costing them precious time and money.  Another third lose a significant proportion of their credits. In all, students who transfer from any kind of college or university to another lose an average of 13 credits when they do, and nearly 40 percent get no credit for the work they’ve already completed.  That is exactly what a recent agreement between the University of Mount Olive (UMO) and Craven Community College (CCC) plans to guard against.

UMO and CCC have reached a partnership agreement that will enhance and expand options for community college students. Through the partnership agreement CCC students who have earned an associate of applied science degree can transfer seamlessly into an array of programs at UMO.

“We’re grateful for our strong student-focused partnership with UMO,” said Dr. Raymond Staats, president of Craven Community College.  “Having clearly defined educational pathways for our students is extremely important. This agreement with UMO allows our applied science students to create short and long term goals to advance their careers and fulfill their aspirations.”

In the partnership, the University of Mount Olive and Craven Community College will enhance and expand the University of Mount Olive’s participation as a signatory institution in the North Carolina Community College System Independent Colleges and Universities Universal General Education Transfer Component Agreement (UGETC). This agreement honors the transfer of associate of arts and associate of science graduates’ programs of study.  It also allows CCC students to be eligible to apply for all state and federal financial aid.

To make it even easier, the University of Mount Olive will regularly have an admission representative on site at CCC for advising students interested in transferring.  CCC will also encourage UMO to students by promoting the partnership in publications and on College website. CCC will also distribute UMO and UMO Bridge printed materials through CCC admissions, advising, and AAS degree program advisors.

UMO will provide current CCC students and recent graduates guaranteed admission and acceptance of appropriate transfer hours, up to 64 credits from specified AAS programs with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. CCC graduates will be eligible for consideration of the full range of academic programs at the University of Mount Olive locations.

The partnership between UMO and CCC is what Dr. Philip P. Kerstetter, president of the University of Mount Olive, says will create an excellent opportunity for community college students to continue their education and prepare them for the future.

The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Research Triangle Park, Washington, Jacksonville, and in Smithfield at Johnston Community College.  For more information, visit old.umo.edu.

Dr. Philip P Kerstetter, president, University of Mount Olive and (right) Dr. Raymond Staats, president, Craven Community College