Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and Appalachian State University Launch Aspire Appalachian Program to Support Transfer Students

Asheville Welcomes New Program for Transfer Students

On a bright Friday afternoon in Asheville, the excitement in the room was palpable as Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) officially signed a partnership with Appalachian State University (App State) to launch the Aspire Appalachian program. This collaboration aims to create a streamlined pathway for students enrolled in community colleges to complete their bachelor’s degrees at App State. With this initiative, the community can look forward to a brighter future for transfer students seeking higher education!

Making the Transition Easier

The Aspire Appalachian program is designed with one main goal in mind: to ease the transition between community colleges and four-year universities for transfer students. By doing so, it hopes to boost degree completion rates and minimize student loan debt for those pursuing higher education.

At the signing ceremony, A-B Tech President John Gossett expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We’re excited to be part of the Aspire Appalachian program because it’s a win-win proposition for our students. A-B Tech’s university transfer students can save money by starting here and be assured of admission and an easy transition to Appalachian State upon graduation.” This thoughtful approach promises to benefit many local students aiming for a seamless educational experience.

Growing the Network

A-B Tech isn’t the only community college getting in on the action. As of this summer, App State has secured new and renewed Aspire agreements with 27 community colleges across North Carolina, effectively tripling the number of institutions participating in this pivotal program. With such a broad network, the potential for success among transfer students continues to grow.

A Partnership for the Community

Dr. Neva Specht, acting provost of App State, shared her sentiments on this exciting collaboration: “We are proud to partner with A-B Tech to help realize the immense potential that can be reached when two- and four-year institutions collaborate to support students who want access to a college education.” This partnership not only aims to meet workforce demands but also significantly contributes to the economic health and wellbeing of our state and region.

What’s in it for Students?

So, what can students expect from the Aspire Appalachian program? Well, there are plenty of benefits waiting for them! Students who remain continuously enrolled at A-B Tech and are on track to complete an approved two-year associate degree program can participate. To make the cut, they should graduate with a GPA of 2.25 or higher.

To join the fun, students need to fill out the Aspire Appalachian intent form available on the Aspire Appalachian webpage. Once that’s done, they’ll be connected with an admissions counselor from App State who will guide them through the entire admissions process.

It’s also worth noting that accepted students will get to kick off their application for admission to App State one semester before they finish their associate degree. This proactive approach ensures that they’re well-prepared and organized as they transition to the next chapter of their educational journey.

A Track Record of Success

App State has built a strong reputation for supporting transfer students, leading to its recognition as one of the most transfer-friendly universities in the nation. For eight consecutive years, it has made it onto Phi Theta Kappa’s Transfer Honor Roll, which honors institutions for developing creative and effective pathways for community college transfer students.

Get Involved!

Anyone interested in transferring to App State via the Aspire Appalachian program should chat with their college’s Aspire contact or their App State transfer admissions counselor. That information, along with additional resources regarding A-B Tech’s transfer student pathways, can be found online.

This new collaboration marks a significant step forward in making higher education more accessible to our local students, and with pathways like Aspire Appalachian paving the way, the future looks bright for many in Asheville!