Transition Programs in North Carolina
This chart contains a brief description of transition programs at North Carolina Community Colleges
from a survey conducted in March 2011. This symbol ** denotes a 2010 Transition Grant from the NC
Community College System Office.
School/Contact Info
Alamance
Laura Coffee
336.506.4375
coffee@alamancecc.edu
Asheville Buncombe Tech
Transition Program
(BSP 2000) A collaboration between basic skills, developmental studies, and
student services, BSP 2000 features free skill brush up classes in math, reading, and
writing. Seventy percent of students who placed into developmental classes prior to
taking BSP 2000 placed out of one or more developmental class.
(Working Toward Success)** Connects Compensatory Education students to the
workforce through practical targeted job training classes in commercial cleaning,
coaching, and soft skills training.
Tom Rash
828.254.1921 ex 371
tomr@abtech.edu
Beaufort
Laurie Weston
252.946.6194 ex 6322
lauriew@beaufortccc.edu
Blue Ridge
Career Readiness Certificate classes are available alongside basic skills. Field trips
and activities provide exploration into various industries in Beaufort County.
Students are taught college readiness reading, writing, and math by teaching beyond
GED material.
Curriculum math faculty teach small group math classes for basic skills students
allowing them to meet college faculty and learn about college offerings.
Rick Marshall
828.694.1746
rickm@blueridge.edu
Caldwell
Beverly Jaynes
828.726.2237
bjaynes@ccti.edu
(Transitions Counselor) A half-time transition counselor meets with every GED/AHS
graduate to make them aware of available options and teaches college knowledge
(financial aid, career advisement, placement testing).
(Bridge Program) A summer bridge program serves basic skills students and others.
The program is an expanded ACA 090 (College Success) class that includes a focus on
reading, math, and writing with the goal of placing into Eng 111 or other gateway
courses.
(Breaking Through) A Breaking Through planning grant will create pathways to
Culinary, Early Childhood, College Transfer, Landscape Gardening, and Medical Office
Tech. The pathway will include multiple transition services including contextualized
classes within basic skills and partnerships with student services (transition advisory,
career counselors, advisement center, academic support). AN HRD partnership
provides soft skills and assists students in obtaining the Career Readiness Certificate.
(TRIO Partnership) TRIO programs are available at many community colleges and
assist students with postsecondary entry and student supports. TRIO students
created a special edition newspaper to help basic skills students learn about college
expectations: http://www.cccti.edu/TRIO/SSS/documents/TRIOTribuneFall2009.pdf
Basic skills students are also invited to monthly socials with TRIO staff and
participants to learn more about college entry and TRIO support services.
Cape Fear
(Transition Specialist)** The Transition Specialist assists students with the college
application, financial aid, and scholarship processes while serving as a liaison
between basic skills, continuing education, and local employers.
Erica Burnham
910.362.7178
eburnham@cfcc.edu
Carteret
Diane Matlock
252.222.6211
dmm@carteret.edu
Catawba Valley
Sandie Loyer
828.327.7000 ex 4352
sloyer@cvcc.edu
Central Piedmont
Kathi Polis
704.330.6976
Kathi.Polis@cpcc.edu
(Jump Start) Students are referred to Jump Start based on low math college
placement test scores. The class features an intensive 3 week review, frequent
quizzes, and post testing with the college placement test. All students who persisted
in the class during Summer 2010 placed into a higher developmental math class.
(Bridge Classes) Bridge to Success courses in math and grammar/writing are
available for students referred from ESL and GED classes, developmental classes, and
the general public. The grammar/writing course allows students to build proficiency
in basic grammar and fundamental writing skills. Students participate in lessons
customized to their learning needs which include peer tutoring, cooperative
learning, homework, and a cumulative exam.
(Pathways to Employment) Pathways is a short-term program that provides
academic, social, and job specific training designed to prepare students to enter the
workforce as skilled employees. The program incorporates three integrated
curriculum components: human resources, basic skills, and job-specific skills to
prepare students for employment in one of nine different occupational areas, such
as pharmacy technician, green construction, welding technology, and developmental
disabilities. For more information, contact Lin Embrey at lindsey.embrey@cpcc.edu
(ESL Technical Career Ladders) ESL Technical Ladders is a program designed for nonnative English language learners. The program reduces barriers to economic selfsufficiency by connecting students to education, job training and employment in
high-demand industries. Students are able to access job training opportunities at
any level of English proficiency. There are classes to accommodate a variety of
English language levels, employability skills and career goals. Further, many of the
Technical Career Ladder courses allow English language learning adults to obtain
college credit toward a degree and/or obtain entry level jobs in a career.
Scholarship funds are available from a private donor to assist with the tuition and
fees of the occupational and/or curriculum coursework. For more information,
contact Gilda Rubio-Festa at Gilda.Ruibo-festa@cpcc.edu
College of The Albemarle
Wanda Halstead
252.335.0821 ex 2314
whalstead@albemarle.edu
(SPAN Class – Step it Up a Notch) A 6 week classroom based academic skills
enrichment with college knowledge workshops. Classes are taught in math, study
skills, and technology. The technology course covers Campus Cruiser and Moodle.
GED/AHS graduates and pre-college students who have placed in developmental
classes are recruited for the class. One of the SPAN instructors gives the college
placement test and recruits low performing students.
(TRIO Partnership) TRIO programs are available at many community colleges and
assist students with postsecondary entry and student supports. During basic skills
orientation, students are introduced to TRIO staff. TRIO staff build relationships with
students and inform them of TRIO services. Students near GED/AHS completion
meet with TRIO staff to gain assistance with their postsecondary transition.
Craven
The Continuing Education Occupational Extension Coordinator talks about the Career
Readiness Certificate during orientation.
Zeledith Blakely
252.638.1587
blakelyz@cravencc.edu
Davidson
Programs profiled in main section
Durham Tech
Program profiled in main section
Edgecombe
Jerry Harper
252.544.3521
harperj@edgecombe.edu
Fayetteville Tech
Kaira Bullock
910.678.8454
bullock@faytechcc.edu
Forsyth Tech
(Bridge Instruction) Bridge instruction, which includes preparing students for Career
Readiness Certification and lessons from a contextualized instruction toolkit,
prepares students for postsecondary education and job placement. The initiative
also includes learning communities for both faculty and students.
(AHS Basic Skills Transitions Course) An AHS Basic Skills Transitions Course bridges
the gap between basic skills and postsecondary education and/or employment.
Students learn test taking skills, better time management, improved organizational
skills, and how to access available resources. Students also develop personal,
educational, and career goals with the ability to map out a step-by-step plan to
achieve their goals. A link to this AHS course syllabus can be found here
Skilled Worker Model Transition Program is profiled in main section.
Shannon Stanley
336.734.7708
ststanley@forsythtech.edu
(BSP 050) Students with college placement test scores below developmental studies
are automatic referrals to BSP 050, a bridge to college class. The class meets 9 hours
a week for a semester and the curriculum allows students to review and develop the
necessary skills for college placement test success.
(Transitions Committee) A BSP Transitions Committee meets regularly to improve
transition practices.
Gaston
Becky McLain
704.922.6352
mclain.rebecca@gaston.edu
(MECA Transition Lab) A MECA (Microcomputer Evaluation of Careers & Academics)
Transition Lab is available for all on-campus ABE, ESL, GED and AHS classes. MECA
uses software and hands-on career exploration and assessment kits to assist
students in determining a career path, understanding job requirements, and
accessing the education and training they need to achieve their goals.
(Career Day) A College Career Day is held for Gaston College Life Skills Students
where representatives from the degree and certificate programs available on
campus set up displays and demonstrations to assist students with identifying
potential career paths.
(Student Services workshops) Each semester personnel from admissions and
financial aid provide on-site workshops on completing college applications and
financial aid forms for soon-to-be graduates from the AHS/GED programs.
Johnston
Pam Earp
919.209.2065
pjearp@johnstoncc.edu
Pamlico
Piedmont
(STAR) Successful Transition and Readiness is for those college applicants testing at
the lower levels on the college placement test. The Academic Enrichment Center
has correlated the Accuplacer to TABE and has determined at which level on
Accuplacer a student would qualify for basic skills. These students are enrolled in a
very concentrated program that allows the student to retest at the end of the
semester with the goal of bypassing the lower levels of developmental courses.
Historically, the program focused on those at or below about 6th grade level. Over
the past four years, more students were served between levels 6 and 9.
Program profiled in main section
(College Academic Readiness)** New GED plus curriculum helps transitioning
students with academic and advising needs.
Debra Harlow
336.599.1181
harlowd@piedmontcc.edu
Pitt CC
Program profiled in main section
(Career College) Helps Compensatory Education and lower level ABE students
Randolph
Ashley Moody
336.633.0152
camoody@randolph.edu
Richmond
transition into the workforce. Students choose a job pathway (automotive,
hospitality/tourism) and obtain skills in this area, basic skills, and HRD. Completing
students earn a certificate and program staff assist students with job placement.
(REACH Transition Project)** A Transition Mentor developed curriculum and
established relationships within and outside the college to provide support and raise
awareness of postsecondary education and training options.
Sherry Byrd
910.410.1773
sherryb@richmondcc.edu
Rowan Cabbarus
Gary Connor
704.216.3510
gary.connor@rccc.edu
Sampson
Candace Taylor
910.592.8081 ex 3514
ctaylor@sampsoncc.edu
Sandhills
Martha Bergman
910.695.3784
bergmanm@sandhills.edu
(NOVA) New Opportunities in Vocational and Academic helps students place out of
developmental course work and into their desired pathways. It was developed in
conjunction with curriculum and student services and is taught as a breakout class
for GED students.
Basic skills works closely with continuing education and HRD. Basic skills students
are surveyed to determine their HRD class interests and are informed of HRD
offerings through presentations and table displays.
GED graduates are encouraged to go to student services and different curriculum
departments come and talk with all basic skills students.
(Scholarships) Students completing their GED/AHS receive a $500 scholarship for a
curriculum class.
(Exit interviews) As students approach their final test/credit, they have an exit
interview during which staff help them fill out admissions and financial aid
applications.
(Workshops) Students learn goal setting, how to research colleges, apply for
financial aid, and budgeting. Plans are in place to put this course on Moodle.
(Pathways to Employment) Students can take a Pathways to CNA, a prep course
helping students prepare for the Certified Nursing Assistant course. The course
includes HRD, basic skills, and an occupational extension class (Health Care Basics or
CPR/First Aide).
South Piedmont CC
Southeastern CC
Program profiled in main section
(CRC to Workplace)** Students use Key Train/Career Readiness Certificate to aid
transition into short term skills training/employment.
Jackie Williams
910.642.7141 ex 326
jwilliams@sccnc.edu
(Transitions Class) This course for GED/AHS students includes a tour of the campus,
Stanly
Diane Cooker
704.991.0282
dcooker8019@stanly.edu
Tri-County
a long visit to a One Stop Center, financial aid info, a review of the Compass/Asset
tests, an intro to Moodle, and a study skills review.
(Health Careers Camp) Each summer, the Health Careers Camp gives students an
overview of health care jobs. Students complete 30 minute hands on activities in the
college health careers labs. They also tour the hospital, a nursing home, and the
health department to learn about different jobs in the health fields. This effective
program has raised awareness of health careers other than nursing, increased
enrollment in allied health programs, and better prepared students for their
postsecondary studies.
(Technology Curriculum)** Developed GED technology curriculum based on North
Carolina High School standards. The curriculum integrates essential workplace skills
into basic skills academic subjects.
Susann West
828.837.6810
swest@tricountycc.edu
Vance Granville
Sue Grissom
252.738.3315
grissom@vgcc.edu
Wake Tech
Ellen Overington
919.334.1521
ehoverington@waketech.edu
Wayne CC
Business and Applied Technologies department heads share their programs with
basic skills students for two afternoons during the fall and spring semesters.
Students use the HRD Computer Lab to develop resumes and study for the Career
Readiness Certificate.
(GED Link)** The GED Link bridge class provides academic enhancement aligned
with college placement test content. The class also includes college knowledge,
technology, and study skills.
(STEP UP Bridge Class)** A Transition Instructor/Counselor created a bridge class
which teaches college knowledge and academic skills enrichment. Students receive
credit for ACA 111 during this 8 week course.
Leigh Goroski
919.739.6918
legoroski@waynecc.edu
Western Piedmont
Joy Buff
828.448.6704
jbuff@wpcc.edu
(Transition Coach)** A Comprehensive Transition Plan was created for students and
communicated to developmental studies faculty.
(Reorganization) Basic skills was recently placed under developmental education in
the curriculum division. The reorganization’s goal is to help more basic skills
students move to curriculum and help curriculum students who need basic skills
brush-up. The Dean of Developmental Education, Developmental Studies Chair,
Basic Skills Director, and Academic Success Center Coordinator work as a team to
improve student transition experiences.
(Pathways to Employment) Pathways is a grant funded tutoring program designed
Wilkes
Kim Critzer
828.667.6562
kim.critzer@wilkescc.edu
Wilson CC
Barbara Boyette
252.246.1340
bboyette@wilsoncc.edu
to give students employability skills, academic skills, and specific occupational skills
for careers, such as Certified Nursing Assistant I. Pathways instructors provide group
and one-on-one assistance to help students improve math, reading, and other
academic skills necessary for career advancement.
(Career Pathways Project) The Wilson Community College Foundation gives all GED
/AHS graduates a free continuing education or curriculum course. GED/AHS
graduates take HRD Employability Skills courses while waiting for
curriculum/continuing education classes to start. High demand/high growth
continuing education and curriculum programs give monthly talks to prospective
students.
(Counselor) The Basic Skills Transitional Counselor provides career counseling. The
counselor's role includes sharing information on high demand curriculum/continuing
education career pathways. The Transitional Counselor helps students understand
college terminology and financial aid/admission procedures. The Transitional
Counselor's goal is to assist students in overcoming barriers hindering students from
enrolling in and completing postsecondary programs. The Transitional Counselor
monitors students’ postsecondary attendance during their first year.