UNC Pembroke and Old Main STREAM Academy have formalized a new dual enrollment agreement, creating a pathway for eligible high school students to earn college credit while completing their secondary education.

The partnership, which begins in the 2026–27 academic year, allows Old Main STREAM Academy students to enroll in up to six credit hours per semester in approved UNCP courses, expanding access to college-level coursework earlier in students’ academic journeys.

“Education is the pathway to opportunity and the promise that can change a person’s life,” said UNCP Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings in a press release. “Expanding access to higher education is an investment in our students and our communities, and this partnership reflects that shared commitment. We look forward to the lasting impact this collaboration will have in opening doors for students for years to come.”

Old Main STREAM Academy is a charter school adjacent to the UNCP campus that emphasizes place-based learning, enabling students to engage core academic disciplines through direct community-centered educational experiences. Officials broke ground in May 2025 on the new facility located in the ComTech Business Center on N.C. 711.

Dr. Tiffany Locklear, a member of the Old Main STREAM Academy Board of Directors, said the agreement sends a clear message to students about their future.

“This agreement is about building a bridge between vision and opportunity and helping our students walk toward college early with the support and belief that they belong,” she said in a press release.

UNCP Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Kelly Brennan said that dual enrollment programs play a significant role in college readiness and student success.

“Dual enrollment creates a clear pathway for students to earn meaningful college credit while they’re still in high school, reducing both the time and cost to a degree,” Brennan shared in a press release.

Participation in dual enrollment can allow students to enter college having already completed some foundational coursework. Brennan noted that credits earned through the program will appear on a UNCP transcript and may also be applied toward high school graduation requirements. 

The agreement reflects a shared commitment by both institutions to expand educational opportunity, strengthen college readiness and support students across Robeson County.