Stronger Pathways from 91�첥 to East Carolina University

Paula Vess — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:53:14 +0000

Stronger Pathways from 91�첥 to East Carolina University

February 10, 2026

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Qualified 91�첥 graduates are guaranteed admission into ECU’s Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology program.

CCC 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 91�첥 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 91�첥. “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, 91�첥 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.

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Community College Day Held in State’s Capital

Paula Vess — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 17:27:58 +0000

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Community College Day Held in State’s Capital

CCC in the News

April 7, 2023

Paula Vess

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Pictured left to right: Kenneth Ledford, Bill Turpish, Speaker Tim Moore, Wayne King, Allen Langley and Jason Hurst.

More than 300 community college leaders from across the state gathered last week in Raleigh to advocate for the NC Community College System’s legislative priorities. From 91�첥, President Dr. Jason Hurst, Trustees Chair Bill Turpish, Vice Chair Allen Langley, and Trustees Wayne King, Kenneth Ledford, Larry Hamrick and Dennis Bailey participated in the day’s events, which highlighted the importance of community colleges in our state.

Among the Community College Day event speakers were NC Senate Pro Tem Phil Berger, NC House Speaker Tim Moore and chairs of powerful education and appropriations committees. All legislators emphasized the critical mission of the community colleges to train and retrain the state’s workforce.

“Businesses know what they need from their workers, and community colleges know how to build a workforce,” Berger said.

Legislators also commended the community college leaders’ work at all 58 campuses. “Community colleges are 58 strong in North Carolina and are truly the lifeblood of workforce development and education improvement in our state,” Moore said.

The NC Community Colleges System is advocating for a legislative agenda focused on students and employees as community colleges work to support the businesses in their communities. The legislature is currently holding its long session when budget matters are decided for a two-year biennium.

“Our legislators are incredibly busy,” said Dr. Hurst. “We appreciate having this opportunity to spend time with them and talk about the positive impact community colleges have on our individual communities and the entire state.” said Dr. Hurst.

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