Wachovia Partnership East Expands Access To Education

Coordinator Debbie Grady is gearing up for the anticipated overflow of students expected in the new teacher education program being offered this fall at Wayne Community College. Lenoir Community College is one of five community colleges in Wachovia Partnership East. As a former public school administrator, Grady understands the importance of expanding access to quality education. “Wachovia Partnership East is a powerful model for offering high quality teacher preparation programs in eastern North Carolina,” Grady said.

To combat the critical teacher shortage in North Carolina and across the nation, ECU’s College of Education and the Wachovia Partnership East South Central Consortium announced in January a joint effort to offer four-year teacher education degrees to students beginning this fall. Members of the consortium include Lenoir, Wayne, Sampson, Johnston and James Sprunt community colleges and Seymour Johnson Air Force base.

Starting in August, students can earn a bachelor of science degree in Elementary Education or Special Education from East Carolina University without ever going to the main campus in Greenville.
In addition, for the first class of special education majors, scholarships are available for tuition and books.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for candidates to improve their quality of life and become a certified teacher, ready for employment in Elementary Education or Special Education while working and remaining in the community,” Grady said. Wachovia Partnership East South Central Consortium serves students in Duplin, Sampson, Lenoir, Johnston, Greene, and Wayne County. Currently, 44 students in this geographic area are enrolled in the programs for the fall 2004. New cohorts will begin each August. ECU is currently evaluating the need to offer a bachelor of science degree in Middle Grades education.

Wachovia Partnership East participants complete specific general education courses at their local community college. The remaining courses are taught in the evening, via face-to-face classes at Wayne Community College, and through the Internet courses from East Carolina University. To enroll, applicants must have completed 19 general education courses with a 2.5 GPA. These courses may be completed at local community colleges.

Interested individuals can contact Debbie Grady at (919) 735-5152 ext. 385 or gradyde@waynecc.edu. They may also request information from their advisors at their local community college.

Wachovia Partnership East Director Debbie Grady, right, works with LCC student Cassandra Williams.