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Cape Fear CC students will have guaranteed admission to WCU through Catamount Connection Program

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By Julia Duvall

Students from Cape Fear Community College will be guaranteed admission to Western Carolina University thanks to a new memorandum of understanding between the two institutions.

WCU Chancellor Kelli R. Brown and Jim Morton, president of Cape Fear Community College, met virtually on Tuesday, July 25, to sign the memorandum.

The memorandum is part of the Catamount Connection Program, designed to create a direct pathway for community college graduates to acquire an affordable and accessible four-year degree from WCU.

“We are proud to partner with Western Carolina University to offer Cape Fear Community College students a seamless pathway to continue their education and achieve their academic and career goals,” said Jim Morton, CFCC president. “This direct admit program highlights our shared commitment to student success, providing our graduates with a valuable opportunity to transition smoothly into a bachelor's degree program and further their professional development.”

Brown echoed that sentiment of access for students to continue their higher education journey.

"As a community college graduate myself, I am committed to ensuring the viability of Western for CFCC students," Brown said. “This program gives community college students access to a four-year university and I feel very strongly about having this articulation in place."

Students who wish to participate in the Catamount Connection Program must satisfy the following conditions:

  • Be a currently enrolled student at CFCC in a degree-seeking capacity
  • Submit WCU application for admission and records by WCU deadlines
  • Submit application fee or waiver and fulfill all commitment action steps
  • Be in good standing at CFCC and other institutions attended
  • Demonstrate good citizenship and conduct
  • Earn and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 at CFCC and a minimum GPA of 2.20 in their most recent term
  • Earn an associate’s degree from CFCC in a college transfer program or in an applied program for which an articulation agreement exists
  • Enroll at WCU within one academic year (within the next two regular terms [fall/spring semesters] of completion of the associate’s degree).

For more information about how to transfer to WCU, visit https://www.wcu.edu/apply/undergraduate-admissions/transfer-students/index.aspx.

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