CVCC signs C3 agreement with NC State

Catawba Valley Community College signs C3 agreement with NC State, guaranteeing admission

Catawba Valley Community College and Gaston College have become the first two schools in Western N.C. to become a part of North Carolina State University’s Community College Collaboration Agreement (C3).

01/26/2022

Catawba Valley Community College and Gaston College have become the first two schools in Western N.C. to become a part of North Carolina State University’s Community College Collaboration Agreement (C3). 

The C3 agreement will guarantee students from Catawba Valley Community College and Gaston College admission to NC State if they meet certain requirements. Students can begin applying to the program in Fall 2022. 

The major milestone became official at a signing ceremony Tuesday afternoon at the Myers Center on the Gaston College campus. 

Signing the agreement were Dr. Garrett Hinshaw, President of Catawba Valley Community College; Dr. John Hauser, President of Gaston College; Dr. Warwick Arden, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of NC State; Dr. Don Hunt, Senior Vice Provost of NC State; and Dr. Heather Woodson, Vice President for Academic Affairs of Gaston College.  

“It is important to us that we work together to improve access to all, and we cannot do it alone, we must do it together,” said Dr. Don Hunt the Senior Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and Services at NC State University. “The agreement that we’re signing today really supports that effort.” 

Students from Catawba Valley Community College and Gaston College can dual-enroll at NC State and must complete an A.A., A.S. or A.E. degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better to be accepted into NC State through C3. While admission is guaranteed so long as students meet this and the residency requirement, admission into specific majors may be more competitive. 

While attending Catawba Valley Community College or Gaston College, the students will have access to special services including advising and networking opportunities from NC State. Nearly 1,700 students transfer to NC State each year, and Dr. Hinshaw and Dr. Hauser are both pleased that their students can now have a smooth pathway to this quality education. 

“This partnership between our community colleges and North Carolina State University will have an amazing impact for the citizens in our region,” said Catawba Valley Community College President Dr. Garrett Hinshaw. “Increased access to affordable and attainable higher education credentials in our area is critically needed to meet the needs of our future workforce.” 

Both colleges also signed bilateral 2+2 articulation agreements with the Wilson College of Textiles at NC State on Tuesday. Catawba Valley Community College students who graduate with an Associate in Science and meet eligibility requirements would be able to seamlessly transfer into the Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion and Textile Management. 

"These community colleges are exceptional in serving their communities, have long-standing textile experience and programs, and are also located in the epicenter of the U.S. textile industry today,” said Dr David Hinks the Dean of Wilson College of Textiles at NC State University.

Gaston College’s agreement is for students transferring from the Associate of Applied Science in Textile Technology to the Bachelor of Science in Textile Technology-Undesignated at NC State. The agreements will begin in the Fall 2022 semester.  

“This is a significant opportunity for our current and future students,” said Gaston College President Dr. Hauser. “I’m proud of the work done by everyone to create this partnership. I’m proud of the momentum we continue to build as we create new opportunities for tomorrow's workforce.” 

About Catawba Valley Community College 

Catawba Valley Community College is a finalist in 2021 for the prestigious Bellwether and Aspen Prize awards. CVCC provides a true collegiate atmosphere for its approximately 5,000 students in curriculum and another 9,000 through workforce continued education programs. Serving students from counties across the region, Catawba Valley Community College was ranked as one of the top 10 Best Community Colleges in the United States in a list released by SmartAsset in 2021. CVCC currently offers 57 associate degree programs of study in Arts, Business, Computer Information, Education, Engineering Technology, Health Services, Horticulture, Industrial Technology and Public Services as well as nine college transfer programs. You can learn more about the programs offered at Catawba Valley Community College on its website at cvcc.edu. 

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