Halifax Community College today announced a strategic partnership with Western Carolina University through its WCU Connect program and North Carolina State University through its Wolfpack Connect program.
WCU Connect
WCU Connect is a streamlined, student-focused transfer initiative designed to provide a clear and supported pathway from HCC to WCU.
Under this agreement, eligible HCC graduates who complete an associate degree and meet WCU’s criteria will receive guaranteed general admission to WCU through the WCU Connect program, which emphasizes access, support, and student success.
“WCU Connect strengthens HCC’s ongoing commitment to helping students move from two-year to four-year degrees efficiently and affordably,” HCC said. “As the educational landscape evolves, initiatives like WCU Connect ensure that students have a well-defined route to completing a bachelor’s degree while benefiting from comprehensive academic support.”
HCC Vice President of Academic and Student Success Levy Brown said, “Transfer student success is so important. It is an important part of our job to look for opportunities to help our deserving students have opportunities to earn credentials with us and beyond.”
Brown said, “This unique opportunity provides a new direct admissions and transfer pathway to Western Carolina University. The university is one of the most affordable in our state. This is wonderful for our students."
Students who opt into WCU Connect while still enrolled at their community college gain exclusive early-access benefits, including:
Major-specific academic advising.
A personal WCU admission counselor.
Access to Hunter Library textbook rentals and study spaces.
Admission to select athletic events and campus speakers.
Priority orientation registration.
A 10 percent discount at the WCU Bookstore.
An exclusive WCU Connect Card.
These benefits are activated through the WCU Connect Card, issued up to one year prior to transfer.
“This partnership reflects our shared mission to expand educational opportunities and remove barriers to student success,” said Dr. Patrena Benton Elliott, president of Halifax Community College. “We are proud to partner with Western Carolina University through WCU Connect to help our students achieve their academic and career goals.”
For more information about WCU Connect, visit this link
Wolfpack Connect
Meanwhile, HCC announced a new partnership with North Carolina State University through the Wolfpack Connect guaranteed admissions program.
Through this agreement, HCC students who complete an associate degree, maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher, and meet NC State’s transfer admissions deadlines will have the opportunity for guaranteed admission into more than 100 eligible majors and concentrations at NC State.
“At Halifax Community College, we are committed to helping our students dream bigger and achieve more,” said Elliott. “This partnership with NC State provides a direct bridge from HCC to one of North Carolina’s leading universities — making it possible for our students to continue their education, pursue rewarding careers, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.”
Brown said, “Creating seamless transfer pathways for our students at HCC is incredibly important. Our students being able to gain automatic admissions to North Carolina State University by the time they complete their associate degree with a 3.0 GPA is a game-changer. We are glad to be a part of this new and innovative opportunity for students at our
college."
To qualify for Wolfpack Connect, students must:
Have fewer than 30 transferable credits completed or in progress
Be currently enrolled at Halifax Community College
Plan to pursue an eligible major or concentration at NC State
More information is available on NC State’s Wolfpack Connect webpage
Eligibility forms will open in late January 2026 for students planning to start at NC State in Fall 2026. The deadline to submit eligibility forms is June 1, 2026.