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Featured Photo: Officials with East Carolina University (ECU) and Blue Ridge Community College sign a bilateral agreement that provides Blue Ridge graduates who meet certain requirements guaranteed admission to ECU’s Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology program. (Photo by ECU’s Steven Mantilla High.)
A Press Release by East Carolina University News Services
GREENVILLE, N.C. — East Carolina University and Blue Ridge Community College are separated by 340 miles. Now, the two schools are directly linked thanks to the signing of a bilateral agreement that provides Blue Ridge graduates who meet certain requirements guaranteed admission to ECU’s Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT) program.
Dr. Harry Ploehn, dean of ECU’s College of Engineering and Technology, said about 40% of the college’s students have transferred from community colleges. He emphasized the importance of building relationships with community colleges across North Carolina.
“Our relationships with community colleges are very important,” he said. “Through the pathway program, we work to develop relationships with community colleges. We use the ‘grow local’ approach to help increase community college enrollment and make students aware of pathways that could lead to a four-year degree through an associate of applied science degree.”
Students enrolled in Blue Ridge’s Community College’s associate in applied science in information technology/artificial intelligence; information technology/cybersecurity; information technology/network management; and information technology/support and services are among those eligible.
The BSIT program offers seven concentrations — architecture design technology; bioprocess manufacturing; distribution and logistics; industrial management; industrial engineering technology; information and cybersecurity technology; and mechanical design technology. Five of those concentrations can be completed fully online.
According to Jana Hosmer, chair of business programs at Blue Ridge Community College, a familiarity already existed between her faculty members and ECU prior to a phone call from Dr. David Batts, associate professor and coordinator of the BSIT program.
“Dr. Batts reached out about the BSIT program, and our faculty were already recommending ECU’s online program to students,” Hosmer said. “When I shared his call, they were already familiar with the BSIT program, which was great news. This agreement formalizes what we were already doing and creates a clear pathway for our students to remain local while continuing on to earn their bachelor’s degree in IT.”
Hosmer said Blue Ridge has roughly 100 students enrolled in its IT programs and most are online.
“This is a way to continue online, stay at home, stay with their families and be able to earn their degree,” she said.
Dr. Tijjani “TJ” Mohammed, chair of the Department of Technology Systems, pointed out that online education is one of ECU’s strengths.
“We’ve been doing online classes for many years and know the importance of creating and providing opportunities for our students,” he said. “The way that BSIT programs are structured, students can be where they are. We have remotely accessible labs where students can reserve a time slot wherever they are, connect at a time that works for them and do their exercise.”
Information about all of Blue Ridge Community College’s transfer and guaranteed admissions pathways are available at www.blueridge.edu/transfer.