Lenoir Community College and public school systems in Lenoir, Greene and Jones counties are collaborating with East Carolina University to help build the local teacher pipeline by offering free tuition to high school students.
The schools in February signed an agreement to participate in the Lancer Educator Apprenticeship Promise, also known as “LEAP.” The program is a fellowship for high school students to gain scholarships covering tuition and fees throughout their entire educational pathway from associate to bachelor’s degree, and also to gain on-the-job training through an apprenticeship with the local county school systems.
Through this fellowship program, students will receive career-focused engagement opportunities during their high school and college years through paid apprenticeships. Upon graduation from LCC, students will be awarded scholarships to ECU provided by the public school systems. Eligible students will then return to their county service area for three years of service as part of the fellowship program.
“High school students in Lenoir, Greene and Jones counties already have the opportunity to attend Lenoir Community College through the Career & College Promise Program, which covers tuition and fees for high school students,” says Timothy Maddox-Fisher, LCC Vice President of Instruction & Institutional Effectiveness. “Through this new program, high school students will also receive their bachelor’s degree from a four-year institution entirely free through funding provided by the local county schools. Upon completion of the program, these students will also have the opportunity to earn a National Occupational Credential registered apprenticeship through Apprenticeship NC.”
LCC President Rusty Hunt said LEAP is a fantastic opportunity for students to have tuition and fees covered for their entire four years of higher education and to create meaningful relationships with leaders in education and work in the field while pursuing their degree.
“We are excited to partner with our local schools to bring this to fruition, and we are so grateful for the vision and leadership of superintendents Brent Williams, Frank Creech, Bryce Marquis, and retired superintendent Dr. Ben Thigpen as we build the pipeline of teachers in our service area,” Hunt said. “Because of their support, and the support of donors to the LCC Foundation, we are able to make this happen for our counties.”
Creech, Greene County’s superintendent, said the system is pleased to partner with LCC and ECU to provide a supportive and affordable high-quality teacher education pathway. “The LEAP Fellows offers unique apprenticeship experiences to aspiring educators beginning in high school and culminating with the completion of a four-year degree and guaranteed job placement.”
Marquis of Jones County said he is very grateful to work with Hunt, Williams and Creech to create an opportunity to bring local students back home to teach. “Providing an opportunity for Jones County Public School students to pursue and fulfill a career in education is vital for our rural communities,” Marquis said. “Partnering with LCC and ECU will allow our school district to collaborate with neighboring counties to produce, recruit, and retain high-quality educators.”
ECU College of Education Dean Andre Green said the college is proud and honored to partner with the communities because they deserve nothing less than the best. “We are very hopeful the program will grow in popularity and that many graduating seniors will take advantage of the opportunity to attend LCC to earn their associate degree and then matriculate to ECU to earn their undergraduate degree in an area of teacher education.”
“This transformative collaboration with partner districts and LCC underscores ECU’s commitment to fostering a strong local teacher pipeline,” said Holly Heath Fales, assistant dean for undergraduate affairs and educator preparation. “We extend our gratitude to all partners involved and look forward to the positive regional impact of Project LEAP.”
Students must meet certain criteria to qualify for the program, such as holding a 2.8 high school GPA, being at least 16 years old and a junior or senior in a local public school and maintaining a 2.8 GPA throughout the entirety of the program. Students must be able to pass a background check and be willing to return to work in the service area for at least three years post-graduation. Each local school district will nominate a certain number of students who are appropriate for the program for application to the LEAP Fellowship at LCC.
For more information about the LEAP Fellowship, students may contact Caroline Murphrey, Teacher Preparation Program Chair, at 252-527-6223, ext. 412 or email cwmurphrey81@lenoircc.edu.
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