Monday, October 25, 2010

Brunswick Community College and the University of North Carolina Wilmington today announced an expanded partnership to offer students in Leland and beyond a shorter commute to a four-year degree. Announced by BCC President Stephen Greiner and UNCW Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo at a press conference at BCC's Leland Center, the partnership will enable southeastern N.C. students to earn a four-year degree without leaving their own backyard.

BCC and UNCW have maintained a strong partnership at the BCC main campus in Supply for a number of years, but many students in Brunswick and Columbus counties found it difficult to attend classes and advising appointments so far from home and expressed a need for a closer option. Students in the expanded “two-by-two” partnership program can complete their first two years of courses through BCC and then transfer to the UNCW extension program at the Leland Center to complete their degrees.

Current degree offerings through the Leland extension program include a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Elementary Education through the UNCW Watson School of Education. Plans to offer additional programs in other fields of study are underway. Students in these programs will receive the same high quality educational experience offered on the UNCW main campus through online courses, distance education classes that include live two-way interaction with UNCW instructors, and the availability of UNCW academic advisors on site at the Leland Center.

Brad Walker, chair of the UNCW Department of Elementary, Middle Level and Literacy Education, said, “This partnership is such a boon to the students in that area because they can complete the whole program without having to drive to the UNCW campus.”

Jamie Griffith, a current student in the UNCW/BCC two-by-two program and a Calabash, N.C. resident, said, “My current drive to the main UNCW campus is an hour and a half. The UNCW/BCC partnership at the Leland Center will allow me more time to focus on my studies. They are physically meeting me half way, so that I can take my career all the way.”

The high volume of growth in Brunswick County, especially in the Leland area, has resulted in a nearly 10 percent increase in public school enrollment in the past five years, increasing the need for qualified educators. Since 2005, the number of students enrolled in the UNCW/BCC two-by-two program through the BCC main campus has increased 47 percent. The Leland Center program is expected to experience similar growth.

According to Walker, “The teacher shortage is not going away. As the economy begins to improve, the demand for quality teachers will increase significantly. Even in this economy, all but two of our M.Ed. program graduates are currently in teaching positions.”

At the press conference, BCC President Stephen Greiner said, “The new partnership agreement we are introducing today will strengthen the relationship between BCC and UNCW, and improve the ability for both institutions to provide the highest quality programs and services to students where they need them.”

UNCW Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo added, “The UNCW/BCC Leland Center partnership continues UNCW’s mission to serve all areas of southeastern N.C. This is particularly important for those counties in terms of providing regional services.”

A bachelor’s degree program in early childhood education is planned for implementation in summer 2011, with plans for additional degree programs and certification programs in the future in other disciplines.

Interviews with students and program leaders are available by request.

Media Contact:
Dana Fischetti, media relations manager, 910.508.3127 or fischettid@uncw.edu