Backed by over $2 million in philanthropic support, this digital platform simplifies credit evaluation, expands access across NCICU's 29 participating campuses and 58 community colleges, and strengthens statewide transfer pathways.

RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU), in partnership with the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS), today announced the official public launch of NCICU Transfer Pathways, a digital platform designed to streamline the transfer process for two-year college students pursuing four-year degrees at North Carolina's private, non-profit colleges and universities.

"NCICU Transfer Pathways is a transformative leap forward in serving students across North Carolina," said NCICU President Dr. A. Hope Williams. "By aligning our Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (ICAA) with state-of-the-art technology, we are increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of transfer planning. Students can set their path to a four-year degree with full confidence that their hard-earned credits will count."

The multi-year initiative is supported by more than $2 million in philanthropic grant funding to build, launch, and sustain the platform across participating independent campuses. Major philanthropic supporters include The Cannon Foundation (funding year-one campus participation), The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations (AVDF), the Teagle Foundation, ECMC Foundation, the John M. Belk Endowment (JMBE), the Gates Foundation, and Ascendium Education Group. In addition, Lumina Foundation provided complementary funding to support the engagement of NCICU and NCCCS faculty and staff in the project.

"Every credit a student earns at one of our colleges should count toward where they're headed. When credits don't transfer, students pay for it with time and money they don't have," said Dr. Monty Sullivan, Acting President & CEO of the NC Community College System. "NCICU Transfer Pathways shows students the road before they start down it. That's two- and four-year schools working together for students."

Developed with technology partner, Acadeum, the NCICU Transfer Pathways platform directly addresses historic barriers in credit evaluation, transparency, and degree mapping. Following a soft launch on September 22, the platform is now fully accessible to students, academic advisors, and institutional administrators across North Carolina.

"We're honored to partner with NCICU and NCCCS to tackle one of the biggest barriers in higher education. Too often, transfer students do everything right and still find out, after they've enrolled, that their hard earned credits don't count," said Acadeum CEO Richard Keaveny. "By bringing real-time equivalency mapping and degree tracking to the student level, NCICU Transfer Pathways ensures credit mobility from the start of a student's journey. Learners at North Carolina's 58 community colleges can now see exactly how their courses apply at 28 independent four-year campuses before they ever apply. This work removes an unnecessary barrier and can keep students on track to finish from the start."

Key Features of the Platform
The NCICU Transfer Pathways platform offers interactive, student-centered features engineered to eliminate credit loss and improve completion rates:

• Automated ICAA & Course-Equivalency Evaluation: Using a customized evaluation tool, the portal automatically maps completed coursework—including general education block transfers under the ICAA—against degree requirements at participating four-year institutions.
• Multi-Institution Program Search & Comparison: Students can explore and compare academic programs, campus locations, distance-based search options, and degree requirements across participating independent institutions in real time.
• Digital Credit Tracking: A centralized dashboard provides students and advisors with a visual representation of earned credits, degree progress, and remaining major requirements.
• Direct Campus Connectivity: Students can save favorite programs, view institution profile details, and directly access application and financial aid portals.

A Statewide Network of Opportunity
The NCICU Transfer Pathways network spans all 58 NCCCS campuses across North Carolina and 29 NCICU campuses, including Louisburg College, NCICU's two-year independent campus. Louisburg College and North Carolina's 58 community colleges serve as the primary sending institutions, providing their students streamlined access to participating four-year NCICU campuses. Designed for maximum flexibility, the platform serves current traditional transfer students, early college graduates, and adult learners returning to finish their credentials with "some college, no degree."

The following 28 four-year independent campuses have onboarded program catalogs, course inventories, and transfer equivalencies:

In addition to initial four-year degree mapping, NCICU and NCCCS are preparing to introduce Reverse Transfer workflows into the platform. This feature will allow students who transfer prior to completing their associate degree to apply four-year credits back toward earning their associate degree from their home two-year institution.

For more information or to access NCICU Transfer Pathways, visit https://ncicu.org/transfer-pathways/.

ABOUT NCICU

North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (NCICU) is the statewide office of private, nonprofit, liberal arts and research colleges and universities. NCICU supports, represents, and advocates for North Carolina's independent higher education in state and federal public policy and on education issues with other education sectors in the state. It also raises funds through the Independent College Fund of North Carolina for student scholarships and enrichment experiences, provides research and information to and about private colleges and universities, conducts staff development opportunities and coordinates collaborative programs. Presidents of the colleges and universities comprise NCICU's Board of Directors.

About the North Carolina Community College System
The North Carolina Community College System provides open-access, affordable education and workforce training, reaching all 100 counties. Serving 600,000 North Carolinians each year, the System acts as a critical engine for economic mobility and workforce development. With 58 colleges located within 30 minutes of nearly every resident, community colleges offer accessible pathways for high school students, adult learners, and working professionals—delivering degrees, credentials, and skills that align with today's labor market and support long-term career success.

ABOUT ACADEUM

Acadeum helps colleges and universities expand academic resources that support student progress and equitable access to workforce opportunities. Today, more than 500 higher education institutions are members of the Acadeum network to offer in-demand courses and credentials they need to keep learners on track, and bolster existing or offer new programs.Institutions can improve retention and completion, and offer workforce-aligned and stackable certifications, while also unlocking new revenue to increase financial sustainability. To learn more about Acadeum, please visit www.acadeum.com.

CONTACT:Demarcus Williams, demarcus.williams@ncicu.org

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SOURCE North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities