Thursday, May 02, 2019

UNCW Chancellor Jose V. Sartarelli and Lenoir Community College President Rusty Hunt signed a Pathway to Excellence Guaranteed Admission Agreement on May 1. It is the 25th partnership between UNCW and a school in the North Carolina Community College System.

UNCW’s Pathway to Excellence Program provides any qualifying Lenoir student completing an associate of arts, associate of science or an associate of engineering degree guaranteed admission to UNCW. Those who have a 3.0 grade point average or higher may be eligible for a merit scholarship. The competitive scholarships are one-year awards ranging between $1,500 and $3,000, divided equally across fall and spring semesters. 

“We are excited that the Pathway to Excellence Guaranteed Admission Agreement might encourage more students from Lenoir Community College to apply and be admitted to UNCW,” Chancellor Sartarelli said. “I think this partnership will take the relationship between UNCW and Lenoir Community College to a higher level.”

UNCW’s Pathway to Excellence Program creates a great opportunity for students, said Hunt. The partnership allows the community college to expand its LCC Guarantee Program, which provides scholarships for high school students who have graduated with a 3.0 GPA and enrolled as a full-time student at LCC. The student must maintain a 3.0 GPA while attending the community college.

“We are an affordable option for them the first two years, but they want to pursue a four-year degree. We want to encourage them to do that,” said Hunt. “We know that this partnership will help improve their job prospects and their family situation. We are really appreciative of this partnership.”

The Pathway to Excellence Program is an effort to foster collaborative partnerships and better prepare students for post-graduate success, both key priorities of the university’s Strategic Plan. The program is also part of the university’s ongoing effort to increase enrollment opportunities for students in rural communities. To qualify for admission, students must meet specific GPA and coursework standards. Learn more at uncw.edu/pathwaytoexcellence.

-- Venita Jenkins
#AA

Lenoir Community College President Rusty Hunt (L) and UNCW Chancellor Jose Sartarelli signed a Pathway to Excellence Guaranteed Admission Agreement on May 1, 2019. Individuals attending the signing are (L to R) Sherry Hazelwood, associate director of transfer admission at UNCW; Timothy Maddox, Lenoir Community College dean of arts and science; Marcio Moreno, UNCW director of admissions; and Paul Townend, associate vice chancellor and dean for UNCW Undergraduate Studies.  PHOTO BY: JEFF JANOWSKI/UNCW