N.C. A&T, Roanoke-Chowan Community College Partner Criminal Justice, Business Programs

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Feb. 3, 2023) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and Roanoke-Chowan Community College today signed an articulation agreement to expand degree completion and career development opportunities for students in business administration and criminal justice programs.

The agreement allows students who graduate from R-CCC with an AAS in business administration or criminal justice technology to transfer applicable coursework toward a respective B.S. in management-business administration or criminal justice at A&T.

“North Carolina A&T’s commitment to excellence includes creating pathways to baccalaureate degrees for traditional and post-traditional learners,” said Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Tonya Smith-Jackson, Ph.D. “This partnership with Roanoke-Chowan Community College is an important part of our mission to enhance the human condition and facilitate economic prosperity for North Carolinians in rural and underserved areas.”

R-CCC Vice President of Instruction and Student Services Jami Woods, Ph.D., echoed Jackson’s sentiments: “R-CCC is excited about partnering with North Carolina A&T, as the university’s dedication to excellence and access aligns well with our own mission. We know our students will thrive upon transfer and will contribute meaningfully to the campus environment.”

The criminal justice technology curriculum at R-CCC, led by program coordinator Dwayne Ponton, is designed to provide knowledge of criminal justice systems and operations. Study will focus on local, state, and federal law enforcement, judicial processes, corrections, and security services. Emphasis is on criminal justice systems, criminology, juvenile justice, criminal and constitutional law, investigative principles, ethics, and community relations. Additional study may include issues and concepts of government, counseling, communications, computers and technology.

A B.S. in criminal justice from A&T equips graduates with knowledge of the nature and causes of crime, criminal justice processes, security and law enforcement. Students in this program –led by interim department chair and associate professor Carla D. Coates, Ph.D., in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences – are introduced to social scientific methods and technologies and theoretical models needed for analysis and critique of the criminal justice system.

R-CCC’s business administration curriculum, led by program coordinator John Cann, introduces students to the various aspects of the free enterprise system and provides them with a fundamental knowledge of business functions, processes, and an understanding of business organizations in today’s global economy. Course work includes business concepts such as accounting, business law, economics, management, and marketing. Skills related to the application of these concepts are developed through the study of computer applications, communication, team building and decision making.

Chair and associate professor Feruzan Williams, Ph.D., leads A&T’s B.S. in management-business administration program, which is housed in the Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics. Graduates are motivated, strategic and visionary thinkers with strong analytical, communication and interpersonal skills who have completed required courses in accounting, finance, marketing, organizational behavior, production management, international management, and human resource management.

R-CCC is now one of the 26 community colleges in North Carolina to partner with A&T for an AAS to B.S. articulation agreement.