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.

“Southwestern Community College graduates looking to advance their education will find a welcoming home at UNC Asheville, and we’ve made it our mission to make that transition as smooth as possible,” said van Noort in the release. “Our dedication to accessible, affordable, career-focused education means that students who transfer here can expect real, tangible returns on their investment — an edge that will equip them to tackle the complex challenges facing our region and the state as a whole.”

In his remarks, Tomas expressed excitement about the program and gratitude to the partner university.

“We are always eager to find new opportunities to help our students succeed, and our new partnership with UNC Asheville is a perfect example,” said Tomas in the release. “I’m thankful to all our administrators at Southwestern, and also to our friends in Asheville, for putting this MOU together. Ultimately, our students will benefit – and that’s good for all of us as well as for the communities we serve.”