HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP ENTERED BETWEEN HCC AND CHOWAN UNIVERSITY

Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr., President, Halifax Community College, left, and Dr. M. Christopher White, President, Chowan University congratulate one another after signing the historic agreement which established HCC as a location for Chowan’s Adult Degree Completion Program. The collaborative effort between the two schools is expected to have a positive impact in the local workforce and economy.

Halifax Community College and Chowan University entered into an historic partnership Nov. 20 during an HCC Board of Trustees meeting. Beginning in January 2008, Chowan will offer its first Adult Degree Completion Program at HCC.

Under this agreement, HCC graduates of two-year Associate in Arts (A.A.) and Associate in Science (A.S.) degree programs are assured admission to the Chowan University Adult Degree Completion program with junior status. To be eligible for junior status and completion of general education requirements, recipients of an A.A. or A.S. must have an overall grade point average of at least a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale and a grade of “C” or better on all HCC general education courses.

"Chowan University's Adult Degree Completion Program allows those with an earned associate’s degree or equivalent hours to complete a bachelor’s degree while attending classes on the campus of Halifax Community College," said Jonathan Wirt, Chowan's Vice President of Enrollment Management. "Chowan's program is so attractive because unlike so many others, a full-time student knows he or she will earn a bachelor’s degree in only two years."

Students in Chowan’s Adult Degree Completion program have the option to observe either the curriculum regulations or graduate requirements in effect at the time of their admission to Chowan University or those that were in effect at the time they entered HCC as a freshman. They also have the option of observing curriculum regulations and graduation requirements in effect at the time of their graduation from Chowan University.

The program will allow HCC students to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration or Social Sciences in just two years—and with classes only two nights a week. Students will complete their bachelor’s degree in just 12 semester hours each fall and spring, and only six semester hours during the summer.

“This is another opportunity for HCC graduates to continue their education and receive a bachelor’s degree while remaining at home. This is also a way to provide opportunities for our place bound students to continue their education. I am excited about this partnership and look forward to others in the future,” said HCC President, Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr. The agreement also fulfills outreach goals set forth by HCC’s Board of Trustees, which encourages these types of partnerships.

Business Administration majors will learn leadership, confidence, decision-making skills, and a strong foundation in business principles from sales and marketing to accounting and management. Social Science majors will learn the ability to interpret and organize data, evaluate and solve problems, and to communicate effectively.

To learn more about the Adult Degree Completion Program, prospective students can attend “How to Complete Your Bachelor Degree" at The Centre on the HCC campus at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 29. Light hors d' oeuvres and door prizes will be available. This informative, one-hour session will teach students how to balance life, work, family, and give them the tools needed to complete a bachelor's degree with Chowan University. To register for the event, contact the Admissions Office at wirtj@chowan.edu or call 1-888-4-CHOWAN.