A 2YC-4YC COLLABORATION IN NORTH CAROLINA TO RAISE INTEREST AND GENERATE MAJORS IN GEOSCIENCE

Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) is the largest two-year college in North Carolina and has a highly diverse student body. Most of the ~700 students who take our geology courses each semester are completing a natural science credit for their Associate in Science (AS) or Associate in Arts (AA) degree. The state has a Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA), which governs the transfer of students between institutions in the North Carolina Community College and University of North Carolina Systems.

In the past, Wake Tech’s geology faculty had some limited success producing geoscience majors that would transfer on to a four-year college or university. In order to create more interest in the major and form a transfer pathway for our diverse students, we began collaborating with the geology faculty at NC State University (NC State). Students in Wake Tech’s introductory geology courses that are identified as having an interest and aptitude for geoscience are given individual mentoring. These students are provided with an opportunity to participate in paid summer research internships at NC State. The students present their research projects at a poster session at the end of the summer. If these students choose to continue their studies at NC State, they will be given additional opportunities for research and mentoring. Interest in this program has grown tremendously since it began in 2012.

In addition, Wake Tech students receive opportunities to meet practicing geoscientists, attend local professional meetings, and participate in field activities. Wake Tech faculty are also increasing interest and understanding of geoscience for all students by making connections between geoscience and every day activities.