Transfer agreements boost footprint, workforce

East Carolina University’s College of Health and Human Performance has secured nine bilateral agreements this academic year, creating key pathways for students from in-state community colleges to transfer to ECU and benefit from what HHP has to offer.

This accomplishment supports one of HHP dean Dr. Nicole Bromfield’s initial priorities — she envisioned and helped pursue establishing pathways for transfer students since her arrival to ECU in July of 2024. 

The School of Social Work also emerged as a leader in this effort, getting signed agreements with the Bachelor of Social Work program linked to an Associate of Applied Science degree from five different partners— Wake Tech Community College, Wayne Community College, Pitt Community College, Isothermal Community College and Halifax Community College.

HHP signed bilateral agreements with Wake Tech Community College, Wayne Community College, Pitt Community College, Isothermal Community College and Halifax Community College. (Nehemiah Wallace photo)

Wayne CC, located in Goldsboro about 40 miles from Greenville, signed three other agreements with HHP: AAS social and human services – BS family and community services; AAS forest management technology – BS recreation, park, and sport management (recreation management concentration); AAS turfgrass management technology – BS recreation, park, and sport management (sport management concentration).

Isothermal Community College is unique with its location in the western part of the state in Spindale, which is between Charlotte and Asheville. Kimberly Snyder, representing Isothermal as a social and human services instructor, highlighted ECU’s in-person option is supportive of student learning needs and academic success, and the agreement has potential to strengthen local social work workforce pipelines.

Susannah Berry, assistant dean, and other HHP leaders initiated a successful February event, in 2025, that helped spark bilateral agreement conversations. Community College representatives from across the state were invited to learn more HHP about the transfer process to ECU. Bromfield’s priorities and this event helped lay the foundation for the agreements later secured.

“HHP’s commitment to preparing students for their future careers is only strengthened by our expanded transfer options with community colleges,” Berry said. “The momentum behind creating clear, accessible pathways into our programs is energizing, and we’re excited for the new opportunities this will spark. We’re proud to welcome students who are deeply committed to their fields, and it’s a privilege to support them on their educational journey as they prepare to make meaningful impacts in their communities.”

The full list of HHP bilateral agreements is:

Wake Tech Community College, Raleigh
AAS interior design – BS interior design and fashion merchandising (interior design concentration)
AAS social and human services – BSW social work

Wayne Community College, Goldsboro
AAS social and human services – BSW social work
AAS social and human services – BS family and community services
AAS forest management technology – BS recreation, park, and sport management (sport management concentration)
AAS turfgrass management technology – BS recreation, park, and sport management (sport management concentration)

Pitt Community College, Winterville
AAS social and human services – BSW social work

Isothermal Community College, Spindale
AAS social and human services – BSW social work

Halifax Community College, Weldon
AAS social and human services – BSW social work

These agreements support ECU’s larger priority to attract transfer students. Chancellor Philip Rogers lauded ECU’s pathways in his February message.

“Transfer students bring with them experience, determination and a clear sense of purpose,” Rogers wrote. “They also bring realities from the real-world—jobs, families and financial responsibilities. Ensuring that our systems and approach allows the ECU community to meet these students with seamless systems, clear communication and genuine support that fits into their educational journey. That is why, as part of our broader student success agenda, we have made strengthening transfer student pathways a deliberate and measurable institutional priority.”