ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The University of North Carolina Asheville and Southwestern Community College have signed a “Memorandum of Understanding” to launch the Bulldog Promise Program, an admissions initiative designed to make obtaining a bachelor’s degree more accessible for students in the Qualla Boundary and Jackson, Swain and Macon counties.
What is the Bulldog Promise Program?
On Wednesday, April 29, Dr. Don Tomas, president of SCC, and Kimberly van Noort, chancellor of UNC Asheville, signed the Bulldog Promise into action. The program, effective Fall 2026, provides guaranteed admission for SCC students to UNC Asheville, provided students maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA and good academic standing, and complete an associate’s degree in a college transfer program.
“There are no surprises, no uncertainty about whether credits will count and no need to start the college search process from scratch,” UNC Asheville wrote in a press release. “Every credit earned at Southwestern in a qualifying program transfers to UNC Asheville — so students aren’t forced to repeat coursework or lose time.”
SCC students interested in the program can sign up online through a UNC Asheville Transfer Counselor…