The UNC system’s proposal to provide graduation programs for former students who did not attain college degrees should be applauded.
Shockingly, North Carolina has almost 1.5 million residents who have some college credit but no degree to show for it.
There are 12,000 people who, before discontinuing their studies, were in good academic standing and finished at least 90 credit hours. It is vital that these students are encouraged to return to school and complete their degrees.
Strategically, this initiative is important for the UNC system to achieve its degree attainment goal of raising the degree attainment rate to 37 percent by 2025.
These former students are a lot closer to the degree finish line than prospective first-year students, after all.
However, there are other real benefits from helping these individuals finish their degrees. The state would see a spike in highly educated professionals while improving the quality of the work force as a whole.
But first, it is imperative for the UNC system to adopt the best possible plan for reconnecting with these former students. Goals are great, but action is better.
Thankfully, the UNC system is in the process of generating a survey for these former students. Sent out by the end of the spring semester, the results will instruct officials on how to best serve these prospective students.
