Charlotte Breaks New Ground With OnRamp To Charlotte Online
UNC Charlotte and Stanly Community College are breaking new ground with the launch of their OnRamp to Charlotte Online agreement, a novel initiative aimed at helping working adults smoothly transition from an associate degree to a bachelor’s degree via an online platform. This forward-thinking partnership is designed to cater to the educational aspirations of adults who are balancing their studies with work and family commitments.
Rooted in the principles of the North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement, this collaboration emphasizes a streamlined information flow between the two institutions. It promises to ease the academic journey for students by offering dedicated enrollment coaching and advising across a variety of program offerings from both educational entities.
“Juggling work, family, and studies, working adults seeking their bachelor’s degree face unique challenges,” remarked Asher Haines, associate provost of UNC Charlotte’s School of Professional Studies. He highlighted the commitment of both institutions to facilitate this journey: “By offering nationally ranked online programs with personalized advising and accelerated pathways at an incredible value, UNC Charlotte and Stanly Community College are paving the way for busy adults to achieve their goals, one flexible step at a time.”
The OnRamp to Charlotte Online initiative is particularly tailored for Stanly Community College students eyeing an online bachelor’s degree at UNC Charlotte, as well as potential UNC Charlotte students in need of prerequisite credits. The program not only smoothens the academic progression for current students but also extends customized support to prospective students, ensuring they have a seamless transition to UNC Charlotte.
John Bowman, the program head of University Transfer and English Department head at Stanly Community College, pointed out the underrecognized value of an associate degree as a stepping stone to higher education. “Many adult learners may not realize that an associate degree can be a powerful springboard to a four-year university,” he said. Bowman elaborated on the benefits of the OnRamp to Charlotte Online program: “Our innovative OnRamp to Charlotte Online program makes it even easier by guaranteeing a smooth credit transfer, helping adults save time and money. Stanly’s online environment is specifically designed for busy adults, providing flexible access and personalized support.”
This collaboration between UNC Charlotte and Stanly Community College marks a significant step towards enhancing accessibility to higher education for working adults, offering them a practical and flexible route to achieving their academic and professional goals.