On April 1, Vance-Granville Community College leaders traveled to Greenville, North Carolina, for a bilateral agreement signing ceremony with East Carolina University’s College of Engineering & Technology (CET).
The new partnership guarantees admission to ECU’s Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT) program for qualified VGCC graduates with Associate of Applied Science degrees in technical fields.
The agreement underscores opportunities for those graduates to advance their careers with a four-year degree from ECU, expanding the possibilities provided by their Vance-Granville education. Such credentials can lead to higher-paying jobs and broader economic benefits for local communities and the region.
“The BSIT program was intentionally designed to turn the Associate in Applied Science into a powerful springboard to something beyond a four-year degree for working adults and technical professionals,” said Dr. Stephanie George, CET Interim Dean. “We celebrate these agreements that create clear, affordable, and achievable pathways for students, pathways that strengthen North Carolina’s workforce and support economic vitality across our state.”
ECU’s BSIT program offers seven concentrations: Architecture Design Technology, Bioprocess Manufacturing, Distribution & Logistics, Industrial Management, Industrial Engineering Technology, Information & Cybersecurity Technology, and Mechanical Design Technology. Five of those concentrations can be completed fully online, allowing VGCC graduates with jobs and families to earn their bachelor’s degrees on a flexible schedule.
“That’s the beauty of the transfer pathway,” said Dr. Allen Guidry, ECU’s Associate Provost for Learner Operations. “We provide an opportunity for students to start where they’re comfortable, to stay where they’re comfortable, and hopefully to remain where they’re comfortable through the duration of their careers if that’s what they want to do. That’s an important part, I think, of workforce development.”
A Clear Path to Career Advancement
Vance-Granville graduates who earn an Associate in Applied Science in one of seven technical fields and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA are eligible for guaranteed admission to ECU’s BSIT program, with up to 61 credit hours transferred. Those programs include:
- Automotive Systems Technology
- Biotechnology
- Electronics Engineering Technology
- Information Technology
- Mechatronics Engineering Technology
- Supply Chain Management — Global Logistics Technology
- Welding Technology
VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais noted how the partnership particularly benefits adult learners age 25 and older, helping them advance in manufacturing, biotechnology, and other STEM-related industries within the College’s four-county service area.
“These are people who started late in life, went back to get their associate’s degrees as adults, were working in the field, and you provided a way for them to get there,” she told ECU administrators and faculty during the ceremony. “We just appreciate your willingness to partner with us, and we’re really excited.”
The new transfer partnership coincides with the College’s continued development of its Center for Advanced Manufacturing & Applied Technology (CAMAT). Once complete, the state-of-the-art training facility will equip students in electronics, fabrication, HVAC, industrial maintenance, mechatronics, and welding programs with skills for in-demand careers or further education at institutions like ECU.
To learn about additional transfer options available to Vance-Granville Community College students, visit VGCC’s online Transfer Center or call (252) 738-3255.
