National Notoriety
ECU’s BSIT program touted for success of community college transfer students
The East Carolina University Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT) program has received accolades in a national report highlighting successes in community college transfer programs.
The Transfer Playbook, produced by the Aspen Institute and Community College Research Center, touts the BSIT program for its success in helping community college transfer students obtain bachelor’s degrees at a rate 10 percentage points higher than the national average. The report credits advising staff, online classes and an emphasis on transfer student experiences as some of the reasons behind the program’s success, calling it a model for other four-year institutions to follow.
DeAnthonie Taylor, a biotechnology student at Central Carolina Community College in Sanford, gathers information about transferring to ECU during Transfer Day in February. (Photo by Ken Buday)
The program is designed for those who have obtained Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees in technology fields and who may already be in the workforce. It allows those students to obtain bachelor’s degrees through online or on-campus courses in one of seven concentrations, degrees that can lead to career advancement, higher salaries and a better quality of life, while supporting the region’s economy.
“The BSIT is proving to be a game changer — not only for students, but also for local industries and economic development at both the state and regional levels,” said Dr. David Batts, associate professor and BSIT program coordinator. “Employers are gaining access to a pipeline of graduates equipped with the practical skills and technical knowledge necessary to make a meaningful impact within their organizations.”
ECU’s Department of Technology Systems has been working with AAS transfer students for more than 40 years. With a more formalized curriculum, the BSIT program began in 2003 and has grown from roughly 150 students to about 700. An annual Transfer Day symposium welcomes community college administrators and students to ECU so they can learn more about the BSIT program and tour labs and facilities on campus.
Batts credits a team — from admissions staff and advisors to the faculty — as well as courses developed with industry input for the program’s success and its inclusion in the national report.
“ECU has eliminated the admission barriers that once hindered AAS graduates from progressing,” he said. “By streamlining the admissions process, the BSIT program has become more accessible, creating a seamless and supportive pathway for students to advance their careers.
“ECU faculty understand the needs of adult learners and structure online classes to meet the needs of working professionals. The faculty care about their students, their goals and their challenges. Moreover, ECU ensures that BSIT students — whether full time, part time or online — have full access to the university’s support services. From the library and writing center to career services and academic support, online students receive the same resources and attention as on-campus learners.”
Batts described the program as a family with a shared passion to see students succeed.
“We’ve set a high bar for ourselves, and it’s both humbling and inspiring to be recognized as an institution that’s doing it right,” he said. “But if I’m being honest, the greatest pride doesn’t come from accolades. It comes from our students. Talking with them at graduation, hearing their stories, that’s where the real impact lives — stories like the single mother who returned to school to build a better future for her family or the father who completed his degree to set an example for his children.
“In the end, it’s always about the students — who they become, what they overcome and how we’ve helped them along the way. That’s the legacy we’re most proud of.”
A New Role
Isabella Herb has degrees in automotive technology as well as accounting and finance from Wayne Community College. She learned about ECU’s BSIT program from an instructor, and with a little push and support from her boyfriend, she came to ECU.
She’s graduating May 9 with her BSIT degree, with a concentration in mechanical design technology, and has accepted a job as a project engineer with Bearing Construction.
More than 150 community college administrators, instructors and students attended Transfer Day in February. (Photo by Ken Buday)
“This degree really helped prepare me for the role,” Herb said. “It’s given me a solid understanding of project management, layout and the overall design and manufacturing process. I feel ready to hit the ground running.”
Beyond that, the Seven Lakes resident is part of the accelerated master’s program, meaning she’ll obtain her Master of Science in technology management in another year.
“What I love about this school is that it’s full of opportunities like that,” she said. “It just feels like there’s always something new that can benefit me and help me move forward.”
With her graduation approaching, Herb is thankful for the faculty and staff, her fellow students and advisor, Jason Denius, for all the support.
“Overall, I really enjoy everything about this program,” she said. “The professors are great — super helpful when you need them, but they also give you space to figure things out on your own, which feels a lot like how things work in the real world. The classes are actually fun, and there’s a lot of collaboration with other students, which makes things more engaging. If I had to pick a favorite part, though, it’d be getting to meet and connect with people who are already working in the field I’m trying to get into. That’s been really motivating for me.”
A Different Path
Isaac Kraft admits that attending college in Minnesota after his high school graduation may not have been the best idea. However, after leaving college and working four years in supply and logistics for the National Guard, he was ready to get that college degree and advance his professional career.
“I was eager to complete a degree program that could utilize my prior work experience and could be completed in a couple of years,” said Kraft, who came to ECU with 107 credit hours.
ECU student Isaac Kraft said the BSIT program made sense for him as he sought career advancement with a four-year college degree. (Contributed photo)
The senior’s concentration in distribution and logistics matched his new career path.
“It really felt like this program and concentration were tailored to exactly what I wanted,” he said. “For my specific concentration, I like how streamlined and integrated it is with students in the regular four-year program. We take all the same classes, participate in the same extracurricular activities and can join the same student organizations. I’m offered the same courses and student experience as a traditional four-year student. I just have a slightly different path for completion.”
The Twin Valley, Minnesota, native is taking classes while working at Doosan-Bobcat, an equipment manufacturer.
“I’ve been able to take what I’ve learned in the classroom and apply it to my job in real time, and I’ve also been able to take what I’ve learned at my job and apply it in the classroom,” he said.
Kraft credits faculty and staff in the distribution and logistics program as well as fellow students who not only supported him but became good friends. He said the BSIT program made sense for him and so many others.
“The BSIT program gives people the opportunity to pursue an AAS out of high school, enter the workforce to find what they enjoy and then come to ECU to complete a degree that will advance them in their careers,” he said. “I didn’t know what I wanted to pursue when going to college the first time. The lack of having a clear path to pursue negatively impacted the passion and effort I put forth. Coming to ECU as a young professional with experience and a clear goal helped me become a successful student.”
The Program
The BSIT program offers bachelor’s degree completion to students who have an AAS degree in a qualified technical field. Some degree concentrations are completely online or face-to-face instruction is an option. Others require students to take on-campus courses. Mechanical design technology students can also choose to take classes at Wake Technical Community College’s southern campus in Raleigh.
The seven BSIT concentrations are:
- Architecture Design Technology
- Bioprocess Manufacturing
- Distribution and Logistics
- Industrial Management
- Industrial Engineering Technology
- Information and Cybersecurity Technology
- Mechanical Design Technology
Anyone interested in the program can go to the BSIT website, email Program Coordinator Dr. David Batts or Program Advisor Jason Denius, or call the Department of Technology Systems at 252-328-9640.