In a move aimed at expanding access to four-year degrees and easing the path for local students, UNC Pembroke has announced a new guaranteed transfer initiative in partnership with Richmond Community College (RCC).

The BraveNation Advantage Transfer program ensures that students who complete an associate degree with specified academic requirements will gain automatic admission to the university, offering a seamless transition and a clear roadmap to a bachelor’s degree.

“The pathway we are launching is an example of the long-standing work between our two institutions to create opportunities in education for our students,” said Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings, MD, in a press release. “And whether it’s going to another institution or coming from another institution, the purpose is to allow students in southeastern North Carolina the choice that education provides –– to give them the power, potential and promise that only education can provide. This pathway is all about creating opportunities in education for students.”

Cummings joined RCC President Brent Barbee and leaders from both institutions at a signing ceremony on the RCC campus. Barbee, a UNCP alumnus, said the new partnership builds on several agreements RCC has in place with UNCP in fields such as accounting, business, criminal justice, education, sociology and nursing.

“UNC Pembroke holds a special place in our community,” Barbee said in a press release. “Many faculty and staff are alumni, which creates a sense of comfort and familiarity. For students in rural North Carolina, it means staying local while receiving quality education from people who understand their backgrounds — something truly meaningful and often beyond what they imagined possible.”

“I can’t say enough about our partnership with UNC Pembroke,” Barbee added in a press release. “I would estimate we have a higher concentration of graduates from UNCP than any other school.”

The BraveNation Advantage program aims to simplify the transfer process for RCC students by offering:

• early admission to UNCP;
• academic advising to ensure a smooth transition;
• access to UNCP resources for additional support; and
• co-curricular engagement opportunities to enrich student experiences

RCC students who complete 30 credit hours with a minimum 2.0 GPA will be encouraged to apply and receive conditional early admission to UNCP.

Cummings noted that 113 students are presently enrolled at UNCP after completing their coursework at RCC. He added that 400 currently enrolled students call Richmond and Scotland counties home.

UNCP Trustee and Richmond County resident Kenneth Robinette attended the ceremony with his wife, Claudi, who serves on the RCC Board of Trustees.

“This partnership offers RCC students a chance to earn a UNC System degree close to home and with little or no debt,” Kenneth Robinette said in a press release. “For many, especially those in Richmond and Scotland counties, immediately going away to a larger university isn’t financially feasible, so a partnership like this truly makes higher education attainable.

UNCP has also signed similar agreements with Robeson, Sandhills and Wake Technical community colleges, further strengthening transfer pathways for students across North Carolina.