C3 Grows With New Partner Schools

NC State University is pleased to welcome Brunswick Community College and Richmond Community College as the newest partners in the university’s Community College Collaboration (C3). Through partnerships with 13 community colleges in our region, the C3 program reaches rural and underserved students who might otherwise think an NC State degree is out of reach.

The C3 program is designed to serve as a bridge to support students both before and after transferring to NC State. Students are admitted to NC State while still enrolled in one of our partner colleges, providing a clear pathway to a four-year degree. Through a combination of personalized academic advising and early access to NC State’s degree planning tools, students can see how each course they take toward an associate degree will transfer and meet bachelor’s degree requirements. C3 advisors provide leadership development training and personalized career support to guide students’ development outside the classroom, too. Together, these initiatives not only provide access to college – they give students the tools they need to succeed.

Brunswick Community College

Brunswick Community College, named 2020’s Best Community College in America by SmartAsset, has a long history of transfer success. Students who start at Brunswick consistently go on to complete their associate degrees and successfully transfer to universities across NC and beyond. And with the Brunswick Guarantee, students who graduate from a high school in the county can attend for free, which can bring the cost of a 4-year degree within reach. Brunswick Community College President Gene Smith says, “We now have a clearer pipeline for students in Brunswick County to pursue higher education at NC State with greater access and fewer barriers to achieving their educational goals.”

Richmond Community College

With locations in Hamlet and Laurinburg, Richmond Community College serves students in both Richmond and Scotland counties. It is an outstanding match for NC State because of the rich tradition and value of agriculture in the local community. In addition, the Associate in Engineering (AE) degree program provides the technical courses that students need to enroll in NC State’s Engineering programs. Dr. Dale McInnis, president of Richmond Community College, is especially glad to connect more students with his alma mater. “As a proud Wolfpack myself, I am delighted our college is partnering with NC State in its innovative C3 program.” He adds, “Providing greater access for our students to a world-class university will strengthen our college and communities.”