Durham Tech partners with East Carolina and UNC Wilmington, adds two new pathways to success

Durham Technical Community College signed a memorandum of understanding with East Carolina University and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in August to offer students an opportunity to seamlessly transfer to two these universities.

“Guaranteed admissions pathways help students feel as if they belong at the four-year university while they are working towards that goal,” said Lea Bingham, Assistant Dean of University Transfer at Durham Tech. “They surround students with the resources to be successful at the community college, transition to the four-year university, and achieve their dream of earning a bachelor’s degree.”

On August 4, Durham Tech signed an MOU with UNC Wilmington to participate in their Pathway to Excellence program, which provides an admissions pathway for Associate in Arts and Associate in Science students who maintain a 2.5 or higher GPA. Students who have a 3.0 or higher GPA are eligible for additional university requirement waivers.

In addition to support from a UNCW Transfer Student Success Coordinator, who will visit Durham Tech throughout each semester, students will be invited to an annual Open House event at UNCW. Students who have at least a year at Durham Tech may complete a Letter of Intent.

On August 25, Durham Tech signed an MOU with East Carolina University to participate in their Pirate Promise program, which is open to university transfer, dual enrolled, RN to BSN, Early Childhood Education, and Associate of Applied Science students in technical programs wishing to pursue ECU’s Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology.

“This agreement represents the next step in our longstanding partnership with Durham Technical Community College,” said Dr. Ron Mitchelson, ECU interim chancellor. “The transfer pathway is great option for students, who stand to save a significant portion of their overall cost for earning a four-year degree, and it benefits both ECU and its partnering colleges. We find transfer students to be well prepared for life and class at ECU, and we welcome them as Pirates!”

Pirate Promise students who maintain a 2.5 or higher GPA and attend full time (with the exception of dual enrolled students), are guaranteed admission to ECU. In addition to joint academic and financial advising from Durham Tech and ECU, students may purchase an ECU ID, which give students access to athletic events, ECU libraries, and career services. Applications for Spring 2021 will be available November - January.

Both universities offer guaranteed admissions, waived application fees, joint academic and financial advising for students who are in their first year of community college coursework.

For more information about transfer opportunities at Durham Tech, call 919-536-7223, ext. 8004 or email transfercenter@durhamtech.edu.