SANFORD - Central Carolina Community College is among 23 two-year and community colleges in North Carolina participating in East Carolina University's Partnership Teach program.

The program allows students to take courses at CCCC and then transfer to ECU to complete a teaching degree.

Dr. Brian Merritt, CCCC Vice President of Learning & Workforce Development/Chief Academic Officer, represented CCCC at a recent signing agreement with ECU. "Partnership Teach offers a seamless transfer pathway for CCCC students who want to become teachers," said Merritt. "Eighty-nine percent of ECU's Partnership Teach graduates are teaching in North Carolina today, and we are confident this will help our secondary partners grow educators who want to train online and teach locally."

Partnership Teach Fellows are students who have a passion for teaching and a commitment to remain in their home communities. Students benefit from online course delivery, which allows them to complete coursework while working and/or enjoying family life. According to ECU, the total cost of the program is less than half of that found at most online and private institutions.

Local students who may be interested in this program through CCCC can contact CCCC Student Services at 919-718-7300.

To learn more about the ECU Partnership Teach program, visit education.ecu.edu/partnership.