AffordableCollegesOnline.org (AC Online) recently identified the colleges and universities with the most affordable online degree programs in North Carolina, and North Carolina A&T State University ranks fifth. AC Online focused specifically on distance learning options from public and private non-profit institutions with full accreditation.

“For-profit schools no longer dominate the distance-learning landscape,” said Dan Schuessler, founder and CEO of AC Online. “So many of today’s top universities have added full online degree programs to their catalogs, making it much easer for non-traditional students to receive a quality education.”

Opponents of for-profit distance learning have cited both quality and affordability as drawbacks of online model. Yet over the last few years, traditional colleges and universities with proven quality have made online programs accessible via discounted tuition and assistance programs.

“Offering students great online programs is only half the battle,”said Schuessler. “The colleges on our list offer students quality, flexibility and affordability.”

Affordable Colleges Online provides students with information about affordable higher education options. The website offers financial aid videos, expert advice, and cost savings ideas. AC Online is a trusted resource for college stats and rankings. Most recently the site launched a feature that provides students with a categorized directory of free online introductory, or "101", classes from several top named U.S. universities such as MIT, Michigan and U.C. Berkeley.

The School of Nursing at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is involved in a collaborative nursing partnership with the nursing programs at Guilford Technical Community College and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and clinical partners Cone Health Systems and High Point Regional Hospital, to expose nurses from the Republic of Moldova to Western nursing culture and practices.

On Nov. 8–14, officials from the Republic of Moldova visited Greensboro, N.C., on a trip sponsored by the Guilford Rotary Club. During the visit, the group was exposed to nursing practices through classroom observations, open discussions and skill lab and simulation lab activities.  

“This particular initiative is an effort to increase the quality of nursing education in the Republic of Moldova. A more highly educated workforce will impact the quality and access to healthcare for the citizens of Moldova,” said Dr. Inez Tuck, dean and professor in the School of Nursing at N.C. A&T.

The North Carolina–Moldova Partnership was formed on April 22, 1999. The partnership falls under the National Guard State Partnership Program (SPP), which links the United States with partnering countries to support security cooperation of objectives the Combatant Commander. Those objectives include bilateral consultations for access and enhancement to military capabilities, medical and humanitarian needs, improving cultural awareness and more.

This specific collaboration encompasses two planning committees in both North Carolina and the Republic of Moldova that work together to improve the lives of the people they serve. 

Tuck said that A&T’s participation in this collaborative nursing initiative with UNCG, GTCC, Cone Health and High Point Regional Health Systems is an example of how nursing education and practice are working together to improve the quality of healthcare provided to the citizens of this Piedmont Region and throughout North Carolina.

One of the Piedmont Triad’s key industries will receive two more years of education, research and workforce development from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a two-year renewal of funding for the Transportation Institute at N.C. A&T.

“The Triad’s excellent geographic position makes it a prime location for the transportation and logistics industry,” said Dr. Kathryn Dobie, director of the Transportation Institute.

“But continued job growth and business success require more than just great location. Technology and the challenges of our economy make transportation and logistics as complex and dynamic as any high-impact industry.

“Our goal is to help the industry—and related ones, like construction—to grow and thrive in its rapidly changing environment and to be as efficient and effective as it can be.”

The Institute’s initiatives serve students, industry professionals and businesses, both large and small. In the past five years, it has received more than $2.5 million from federal and state agencies. Its ongoing programs include the Right of Way Training Program, the N.C. A&T/N.C. DOT Construction Contractor Technology Certificate Program, the Summer High School Transportation Institute, and the Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship program. It also offers seminars, workshops, lectures, publications and other information.

The Transportation Institute is a program of the School of Business and Economics at A&T. It was established in 1970.

N.C. A&T received the new funding as a member of the Southeastern Transportation Center consortium, a group of 10 universities in the region. The university’s funding is included in a $5.5 million award to the consortium.

In addition to N.C. A&T, members of the regional consortium include the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, lead institution; University of Alabama, Birmingham; University of Central Florida; Clemson University; University of Kentucky; University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and University of South Florida.

The new award is one of 10 granted nationwide to regional university transportation centers.