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A Pathway to Success

The PAC will guarantee that the path from Wake Tech to the completion of a four-year degree at NC State is clear.

Thomas Griffin, director of undergraduate admissions at NC State

By Dave Pond, Web Communication 

In a move designed to make higher education a reality for aspiring students in Wake County and beyond, North Carolina State University and Wake Technical Community College reached an agreement Friday, May 16, to allow Wake Tech students to move seamlessly into an undergraduate degree path at NC State.

"NC State and Wake Tech will be working together to address the growing demand for undergraduate academic programs," NC State vice provost of enrollment management and services Louis D. Hunt said. "The Partnership for Access to College [PAC] will continue to enhance and expand NC State's relationship with the North Carolina Community College System."   

Beginning this fall,  Wake Tech students can complete an application for admission to the PAC program after completing their first semester in Wake Tech's College/University Transfer curriculum. To be eligible, students must have a 3.0 grade point average at Wake Tech and have attempted a minimum of 12 credit hours.

“Wake Tech is extremely pleased to partner with NC State on the PAC program to benefit students,” said Wake Tech President Dr. Stephen C. Scott. “As community colleges play an increasingly important role in higher education, agreements like this are critical for ensuring the highest quality educational options for all North Carolinians.”

"These students will be able to tell NC State of their desire to become a part of the Wolfpack family through their application to the PAC program," said Cynthia DeLuca, assistant vice provost of enrollment management and services at NC State. "We hope that this initiative will serve as a model for building on our successes in providing an affordable and accessible high quality college education for students in North Carolina."

Once accepted into the program, students will receive a joint letter of admission from the Undergraduate Admissions Office at NC State as well as the Wake Tech Admissions Office, and can begin to develop an Individualized Plan of Work for their remaining semesters of education at Wake Tech.

"This will allow for a smooth transition to NC State, ensure maximum transferability of their coursework, allow students to begin to explore four-year degree programs and take advantage of other opportunities at NC State while still enrolled at Wake Tech," Hunt said.

In addition, students will have access to specialized advising by the Office of Advising Support, Information and Services (OASIS) at NC State as well as the Wake Tech Advising Center, and have full use of NC State's libraries, Virtual Computing Environment, and other student services while still enrolled at Wake Tech.

Wake Tech Vice President for Curriculum Education Bryan Ryan said this partnership agreement is an extremely important one that students will be eager to embrace.

“Wake Tech's mission is to prepare students for their next steps – in the workforce or in the pursuit of additional education," he said. "The PAC program opens exciting new pathways for those students who have built a strong foundation and are ready to go after a four-year degree."

Once they are accepted into the PAC, participants are eligible to take one course a semester at NC State during the fall and spring semester. Upon successful completion of their associate's degree and other program requirements, PAC students will receive guaranteed admission to NC State in the major identified in their plan of work.

"Since their founding, NC State University and the North Carolina community college system have both been beacons of opportunity for students seeking higher education," said Thomas Griffin, director of undergraduate admissions at NC State. "These two great forces for good in North Carolina's higher education arena working together for student success are a natural combination. 

"NC State University is the top choice among North Carolina high school graduates, but North Carolina's community colleges are an excellent option for many students," he said. "The PAC will guarantee that the path from Wake Tech to the completion of a four-year degree at NC State is clear."

For more information on the Partnership for Access to College, contact Cynthia DeLuca at (919) 513-1212.

Related Links:

• NC State Office of Undergraduate Admissions
• Wake Technical Community College
  

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