North Carolina Central University, the historically Black educational institution in Durham, has announced that it will establish a bachelor’s degree program in criminal justice on the campus of Vance-Granville Community College. The college, headquartered in Henderson, North Carolina, enrolls about 4,000 students in degree programs. African Americans are 36 percent of the student body.
Under the agreement, the community college will provide classroom space as well as technology support. The two-year bachelor’s degree program will be taught by North Carolina Central University faculty for students who have completed an associate’s degree program in criminal justice at Vance-Granville Community College. A full-time academic coordinator from North Carolina will be employed at the Vance-Granville campus to assist students working toward the four-year bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Stelfanie Williams, president of Vance-Granville Community College, stated that “research indicates that when community college students have clear academic and career pathways, they are more likely to continue their education and graduate, and they have better employment outcomes as well.”
Dr. Williams has been president of Vance-Granville Community College since 2012. She is the first African American to lead the college. President Williams earned bachelor’s degrees in public policy and Spanish from Duke University. She holds an MBA from Western Carolina University and a doctorate in adult and higher education from North Carolina State University.
