Historically Black Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina has partnered with Davidson County Community College to establish a pathway program for community college students to earn their bachelor’s degrees.
Davidson County Community College is headquartered in Thomasville, North Carolina. It enrolls more than 3,600 students, according to the latest data available from the U.S. Department of Education. African Americans make up 14 percent of the student body.
“We are pleased to partner with DCCC to provide the opportunity for its graduates to advance their careers through a bachelor’s degree from Winston-Salem State,” said Anthony Graham, WSSU’s provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “These new agreements illustrate WSSU’s commitment to providing access to baccalaureate degrees for North Carolina residents in critical workforce areas.”
The new 2+2 agreement will create a streamlined path for graduates of DCCC’s Zoo & Aquarium Science Program to enter WSSU with junior status to pursue a bachelor of science degree in biology. Students enrolled in WSSU’s biology program can opt for a general curriculum or choose to focus in one of five concentrations: biotechnology, cellular and molecular biology, microbiology, neuroscience, or pre-health professional.
“This is a big step forward for the success, not only for Winston-Salem State University and DCCC, but most importantly, the students we will now both serve,” said Darrin Hartness, president of Davidson County Community College. “This is the opportunity for students who are passionate about zoology and biology to have a streamlined pathway to continue their education. I can’t wait to see where this partnership will take our students.”
