SALISBURY, N.C. – Earning a degree at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College can open doors to a wide range of opportunities, including careers and continued education at a four-year university. Through partnerships with more than 40 universities and 18 enhanced transfer agreements spanning more than 60 bachelor’s degree programs, the College helps students build on their academic achievements and pursue their next educational goals.
Following National Transfer Student Week, observed Oct. 19-23, Rowan-Cabarrus is highlighting the university partnerships, transfer agreements and resources available to students who plan to continue their education. Depending on the agreement, eligible Rowan-Cabarrus students may benefit from guaranteed admission, tuition savings, scholarships and coordinated academic advising at their transfer institutions.
These enhanced partnerships build on the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement with the University of North Carolina System and the Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement with participating private colleges and universities across North Carolina. The statewide agreements establish a foundation for transferring eligible community college credits, while enhanced partnerships offer additional benefits that vary by institution.
UNC Charlotte, UNC Greensboro and Appalachian State University are among the leading UNC System transfer destinations for Rowan-Cabarrus students, while Catawba College and Wingate University are among the top destinations at North Carolina’s independent colleges and universities.
“Our commitment to students doesn’t end when they earn their degrees at Rowan-Cabarrus,” said Dr. Carol S. Spalding, president of Rowan-Cabarrus. “We want to help them prepare for what comes next, whether that’s entering the workforce or completing their four-year degree at a university. These partnerships are an important part of that commitment because they provide students with more choices, greater access and a clearer path toward their long-term goals.”
Throughout the year, the College supports students as they explore university options and prepare to transfer. Regular meetings with Rowan-Cabarrus career and academic advisors help students maintain progress in their programs by selecting courses aligned with their transfer goals. These conversations build on guidance from faculty, who are familiar with transfer pathways in their fields and can connect students with relevant resources.
Through the College’s University Mentor Program, students can meet directly with representatives from four-year universities through on-campus and virtual appointments. During the 2025-2026 academic year, 64 Rowan-Cabarrus students connected with university representatives to discuss degree programs, explore admission requirements and receive personalized guidance as they prepared to transfer.
“Students often have questions about how their credits will transfer or what a particular university expects before they apply,” said Dr. Michael Quillen, vice president of Academic Programs. “The University Mentor Program gives them the chance to get those answers directly from the university they’re interested in attending. That kind of guidance can help students plan their coursework and make informed decisions as they prepare to transfer.”
Transfer fairs provide another way for students to explore their options, with representatives from several universities available to answer questions about continuing their education. New this year, Rowan-Cabarrus introduced program-focused transfer fairs in Education and Art and Design to connect students with universities offering bachelor’s degrees in their fields of study. The College will continue this approach with a nursing transfer fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College at the North Carolina Research Campus, 399 Biotechnology Lane in Kannapolis. The event will give nursing students an opportunity to meet representatives from four-year nursing programs and learn about their transfer requirements.
Rowan-Cabarrus has expanded its university transfer partnerships over the past year, with new agreements involving Western Carolina University, NC State University and Appalachian State University. These partnerships provide additional pathways for eligible students to pursue bachelor’s degrees in a variety of fields.
Western Carolina University offers guaranteed general admission through its WCU Connect program to Rowan-Cabarrus graduates who complete a qualifying associate degree and meet program requirements. Students also benefit from personalized transfer advising, while WCU’s participation in NC Promise provides in-state undergraduate tuition of $500 per fall and spring semester, excluding fees and other expenses.
NC State’s Wolfpack Connect offers eligible Associate in Arts and Associate in Science students a guaranteed admission pathway to participating majors. Students can begin planning early using NC State’s major-specific transfer guides and academic resources, with admission contingent on completing their associate degree and meeting requirements that include a minimum 3.0 GPA.
A statewide agreement with Appalachian State University provides qualifying Rowan-Cabarrus health sciences graduates with a pathway to earn a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. Students completing eligible programs, including nursing, radiography and other allied health fields, can pursue the degree through online or in-person coursework, with concentrations in healthcare management or public health.
Students interested in university transfer opportunities can explore available partnerships, transfer pathways and student resources at www.rccc.edu/transfer. To learn more about academic programs and opportunities at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, visit www.rccc.edu.