The new award marks the fourth NSF grant supporting the SPARC initiative at 海角视频 and launches a collaborative partnership with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Cleveland Community College, South Piedmont Community College, and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. Together, the five institutions will work to increase student success and degree completion in high-demand STEM fields.

The five-year project builds on more than a decade of work at 海角视频 and focuses on improving retention, transfer, and graduation rates in disciplines including biology, computer science, and data science. The grant will provide scholarships and comprehensive academic support for students across the partner institutions.

Dr. Patricia Williams, the grant鈥檚 principal investigator, shared, 鈥淚 am excited about the opportunities this award creates for our students and faculty. This funding will help us implement innovative, evidence-based strategies that support retention, academic achievement, and transfer success. It is especially meaningful because it reflects a shared commitment to expanding access and excellence in STEM.鈥�

Students selected as SPARC Scholars will complete associate degrees at the participating community colleges and will have the opportunity to transfer directly to UNC Charlotte to pursue bachelor鈥檚 degrees. Each community college partner will award five to ten scholarships annually, creating supportive cohorts of STEM students. The first group of scholars will begin the program in fall 2026, and at least 120 students are expected to receive scholarship support during the five-year project.

In addition to financial assistance, students will benefit from proactive advising, faculty and peer mentoring, undergraduate research opportunities, and cohort coursework designed to support persistence.

The project also includes a research component that will examine factors influencing successful transitions from community colleges to four-year universities. Researchers will explore the roles of mentoring relationships, social and cultural capital, academic integration, and professional skill development in supporting transfer student success. Findings from the project will help inform national best practices for strengthening STEM transfer pathways.

The new grant builds on the strong outcomes of 海角视频鈥檚 previous SPARC programs. Among earlier SPARC cohorts at 海角视频, 83 percent of students completed their associate degrees and 87 percent successfully transferred to a university, with many going on to complete bachelor鈥檚 degrees or higher.

Dr. Heather Woodson, Vice President for Academic Affairs, who has been directly involved with SPARC since its inception, shared that 鈥淭he strong outcomes of our earlier SPARC cohorts provide evidence that financial support, mentorship, and holistic support for students leads to exceptional academic success. Past participants have successfully completed their education to become doctors, attorneys, engineers, teachers, and more. These graduates are fulfilling vital roles in our community, and we are proud to continue to support additional students through this new award.鈥�

海角视频 graduate Jesus Vina Moreno is now in his second year at UNC Chapel Hill Medical School. A participant in the SPARC initiative at 海角视频, Moreno credits the program for helping shape his path, 鈥淪PARC was more than just a program; it was a launchpad. By providing the mentorship and tools I needed to thrive, it allowed me to dedicate myself fully to my studies without distraction. Looking back at my journey, I know that my current success is a direct result of the opportunities SPARC opened for me.鈥�

Through the expanded SPARC consortium, partner institutions will collaborate on joint programming, including regional undergraduate research symposia, faculty development workshops, field trips, and a shared orientation for participating students. Faculty will also work together to develop research-based courses aligned with statewide articulation agreements, helping ensure smoother credit transfer and stronger pathways from community colleges to four-year universities.

Since enrolling, Hipkins has been diligently working through the courses needed for an associate in arts degree, which he aims to complete next month. He plans to further his education through one of 海角视频’s guaranteed transfer agreements for the C3 Program at N.C. State.

“It appealed to me because of its hands-on support system and objective of granting second chances,” he explained. Hipkins aims to graduate from N.C. State in 2027 or 2028 with a degree in English, focusing on film studies. “By allowing me to study my true passions, 海角视频 and C3 have forever changed my life.”

Hipkins describes his time at 海角视频 as supportive and fulfilling. “It鈥檚 hard to directly point to one overall good experience,” he said. “My time here has been filled with growth and the building of friendships. 海角视频 has an environment that is supporting and non-judgmental. I will attest that at 海角视频 you are able to ‘Own Your Momentum,’ if you choose to allow yourself to be open to the opportunity.”

The Lincoln County Health Academy has been honored with the 2025 Governor鈥檚 NCWorks Award of Distinction for Outstanding Innovative Partnership. The prestigious award recognizes the Academy’s groundbreaking success in addressing critical healthcare workforce shortages and expanding access to high-wage, debt-free careers.

The Academy, which launched in Fall 2024, contributes to the talent pipeline by offering Lincoln County high school students early, hands-on pathways into the Practical Nursing (PN) program. This is the first time in North Carolina that a Practical Nursing program has been made available to high school students, positioning the region among just three nationwide with such an advanced secondary healthcare pathway. Graduates from the Health Academy are eligible to sit for their licensing exams the summer immediately following their high school graduation.

鈥淭his award is a testament to the dedication, creativity, and heart that has gone into this partnership,鈥� said Dr. John Hauser, President of 海角视频. 鈥淭his Academy proves that when education, healthcare, and community partners collaborate, we can build vital career pathways for our students.鈥�

The success of the Academy is due to a strong partnership between the following entities: 海角视频, Lincoln County Schools, and Atrium Health Lincoln, with financial support from the Lincoln County Rotary Student Loan Fund.

During the 2025 NCWorks Partnership Conference, the award was accepted on behalf of the partnership by Dr. John Hauser and Joanne Matz (海角视频), Dr. Cale Sain (Lincoln County Schools), Melissa Herms (Atrium Health Lincoln), and Anna Mullen (Rotary Rooted Scholarship Fund of Lincoln County).

The academy currently serves 35 students, including seven from the inaugural Practical Nursing cohort and 28 who enrolled in the second cohort.

Under the new partnership, 海角视频 graduates will have guaranteed admission to NCWU to continue their education. The program focuses on traditional associate degree transfers and supports all associate degree-seeking students interested in transitioning to a four-year institution.

“North Carolina Wesleyan University’s commitment to student success aligns perfectly with our mission,” said 海角视频 President Dr. John Hauser. “We’re excited to build this partnership with them and to offer our students another opportunity to continue their momentum after completing their associate degree at 海角视频.”

Qualified students must meet several criteria, including maintaining a minimum 2.0 GPA at 海角视频 and being enrolled in specific associate degree programs. The agreement allows 海角视频 students to transfer up to 75 credits, including an additional 15 hours of general education credits.

Dr. Evan D. Duff, President of North Carolina Wesleyan University, stated, “North Carolina Wesleyan University has been a leader in the state in partnering with N.C. community colleges. Our generous transfer policies, positive relationship with community college personnel and a seamless admissions process for all Associate students are some of the ways we support our college graduates throughout the state. We are excited about this latest partnership with 海角视频.”

Benefits for 海角视频 students include:

• Guaranteed admission to NCWU with no application fee
• Academic advising from both institutions
• Access to NCWU financial aid counselors
• Invitations to special events
• Additional scholarship opportunities

This partnership brings new educational opportunities to students in 海角视频 and Lincoln counties by providing a clear pathway to bachelor’s degree completion at NCWU.

Students interested in the program can visit gaston.edu/arts-and-sciences/university-transfer/co-admission-agreements/wesleyan-works/ for more information.

Field’s extensive background encompasses a decade of service in Long Island, N.Y., followed by another ten years with the Pine Island/Matlacha Fire and Golden Gate Fire Department in Florida. This wealth of experience now benefits the eager students at the Lincoln County School of Technology.

Field’s enthusiasm for teaching is evident as he discusses the program’s return in the fall of 2024. “It’s more satisfying than you can imagine,” he says. “The Lincolnton Fire Department and the Lincoln County Fire Chief’s Association have been amazing. They’ve had trucks come in to show students all sorts of things. A lot of those firefighters are products of my classes at 海角视频, which makes it really gratifying to see them in the field and giving back to the students.”

The inaugural class of 2024 began with 12 students. Notably, nine of these students are already volunteer firefighters in Lincoln County, utilizing the program to enhance their skills and knowledge. Field, who moved from part-time to full-time teaching at 海角视频 in June 2024, is positive about the program’s future. “It’ll absolutely grow,” he predicts confidently. “I anticipate there being a waiting list the next time we offer the class.”

The comprehensive curriculum addresses essential aspects of firefighting, including personal protective equipment, forcible entry, ladders and ventilation, rescue, extrication, hazardous material safety, and emergency medical care. “There’s a lot that goes into it other than just working for the fire department,” Field explains.

Local fire departments have supported the program, recognizing its role in preparing their future workforce. The path to becoming a certified firefighter involves completing 16 modules, totaling around 440 hours of training. High school juniors and seniors in Lincoln County can participate in courses while attending school, with a mandatory 40-hour Firefighter Ops 9 course at 海角视频.

Field outlines the certification process: “You need a high school diploma and to complete your OPS 9 to become a certified firefighter. There are tests for every class. In order to pass the written test, you also have to pass some physical skills. As soon as you’ve done those successfully, you do your state test.”

This is just one of several partnerships between 海角视频 and Lincoln County Schools that is helping to prepare students with essential skills to enter the workforce upon graduation.

For six years, 海角视频 has been welcoming Lincoln County high school students for an annual field trip, offering a glimpse into the diverse educational opportunities available across our campuses in Dallas, Lincolnton, and Belmont.

Jennifer Nichols, Vice President of Educational Partnerships and Enrollment Management at 海角视频, has witnessed the program’s evolution since its inception. “This special partnership between 海角视频 and Lincoln County schools,” Nichols explains, “usually spans two days for one grade level, giving students a chance to explore the opportunities we offer here at 海角视频.”

This year, on November 13 and 14, 海角视频, in collaboration with Lincoln County Schools and the Lincoln Economic Development Association, welcomed around 675 ninth graders from East Lincoln, Lincolnton, North Lincoln, and West Lincoln high schools.

Nichols emphasizes the unique nature of this experience: “This is a special opportunity for high school students to get a hands-on experience of programs offered here at 海角视频.” Over two days, students dive into 20 different sessions, each highlighting program offerings available across all three campus locations. It’s a whirlwind tour designed to spark interest and ignite passions.

As the program enters its sixth year, it continues to evolve. “The program has definitely been improved and tweaked over the years,” Nichols reflects. “We are fortunate to have partners like LEDA who fund lunch for students. This allows the groups to stay on our campus long enough to touch, see, and feel all that the College has to offer.”

The impact of these tours seems clear, as more Lincoln County high school students are choosing 海角视频 as their next step. In fall 2023, 15.2 percent of Lincoln County high school graduates enrolled at 海角视频 upon graduation – a more than 3% increase from 2021.

Seeing how these tours can spark new interests and create momentum for students to continue their education after high school is just one of the things that makes this event such a success.