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DCCC announces transfer agreement for Zoo & Aquarium Science students with WSSU

Dr. Anthony Graham and Dr. Darrin Hartness sign 2 +2 agreement.

Winston-Salem State University’s Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Anthony Graham and DCCC President Dr. Darrin Hartness sign the 2 + 2 agreements. The agreements create a pathway for DCCC’s Zoo and Aquarium Science graduates to continue their education at WSSU as juniors receiving their Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology.

July 2, 2019 – Two new transfer agreements will create opportunities for Davidson County Community College graduates to pursue a bachelor’s degree from Winston-Salem State University (WSSU).

The 2+2 agreements will create a streamlined path for graduates of DCCC’s Zoo & Aquarium Science program to enter WSSU with junior status – 60 or more credit hours – to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Biology.

“We are pleased to partner with DCCC to provide the opportunity for its graduates to advance their careers through a bachelor’s degree from Winston-Salem State,” Dr. Anthony Graham, WSSU’s provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, said. “These new agreements illustrate WSSU’s commitment to providing access to baccalaureate degrees for North Carolina residents in critical workforce areas.”

The agreements were signed at a ceremony at DCCC on Tuesday, July 2, which was attended by administrators and faculty from WSSU and DCCC. Graduates of the programs can begin enrolling at WSSU this fall.

“This is a big step forward for the success, not only for Winston-Salem State University and DCCC, but most importantly, the students we will now both serve,” DCCC President Dr. Darrin Hartness said. “This is the opportunity for students who are passionate about zoology and biology to have a streamlined pathway to continue their education.”

DCCC currently offers both its Zoo Science Technology and Aquarium Science Technology as Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees. With many A.A.S. programs are not covered by the state’s comprehensive articulation agreement, leaders from both institutions worked over a year to create a clear pathway for students interested in continuing their education.

The agreement not only provides a new pathway for present and future graduates of the Zoo & Aquarium Science program to attain their bachelors, but past graduates of the program are eligible to continue to pursue their education at WSSU as well.

DCCC is the only college in the nation to offer two-year degrees in both zoo science and aquarium science. The new agreements will help DCCC attract additional students who are interested in careers in areas such as biology, zoology, marine biology and veterinary medicine, said Dr. Margaret Annunziata, DCCC’s vice president of Academic Affairs.

“Our Zoo & Aquarium Science program has always been a point of pride for DCCC, but we wanted to push that boundary even further,” Annunziata said. “Not only does this open the door for students seeking diverse career pathways in zoology and biology, but allows for an enriched academic and professional foundation based in hands-on experience and education that is unique to the Zoo and Aquarium Science programs at Davidson County Community College.”

Students complete four internships for the zoo science program and three internships for the aquarium science program before they graduate. The hands-on experience helps graduates obtain employment upon graduation, as well as create a diverse learning environment for those wishing to continue their education in WSSU’s Department of Biological Sciences.

The department – part of the College of Arts, Sciences, Business and Education – offers small class sizes that allow students to work closely with their professors. Biology is one of the fastest growing majors at WSSU, second only to nursing.

Students will be able to benefit from new additions and opportunities to the department, which include a $53 million sciences building that’s currently under construction on campus as well as a record $2.3 million in new National Science Foundation (NSF) grants to expand faculty-mentored undergraduate research for students in biology and other STEM fields.

“I can’t wait to see where this partnership will take our students,” Hartness said.


About Davidson County Community College

Founded in 1963, Davidson County Community College is a fully accredited, multi-campus college where students of all ages and backgrounds pursue academic and career-focused education in order to build successful futures. As one of 58 institutions within the North Carolina Community College System, DCCC offers more than 40 degree and professional certificate programs to students in Davidson and Davie counties, as well as affordable college-credit coursework to students who plan to transfer to 4-year universities. With a mission to serve the changing needs of students competing in a global environment, DCCC is committed to quality education, innovative and equitable learning experiences, training, and support across a wide range of 21st-century career fields. Visit Davidson County Community College at DavidsonCCC.edu.

About Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem State University fosters the creative thinking, analytical problem-solving, and depth of character needed to transform the world. Rooted in liberal education, WSSU’s curriculum prepares students to be thought leaders who have the skills and knowledge needed to develop innovative solutions to complex problems. Founded in 1892, WSSU is a historically Black constituent institution of the University of North Carolina with a rich tradition of contributing to the social, cultural, intellectual, and economic growth of North Carolina, the region and beyond. Guided by the motto, “Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve,” WSSU develops leaders who advance social justice by serving the world with compassion and commitment.

Media Contact

Jonathan Williams
Communications Specialist
Davidson County Community College
Office: 336-224-4510
Jonathan_Williams@davidsondavie.edu

Jay Davis
Director of Media Relations
Winston-Salem State University
Office: 336-750-3152
Davisjr@wssu.edu