National Student Transfer Week kicks off on October 20, 2025, to celebrate College Transfer students and the professionals who support them on their educational journeys. At Catawba Valley Community College, transfer programs empower students to earn an associate degree while completing general education and core coursework toward a bachelor’s degree at a four-year college or university.  

While statewide articulation agreements help ensure a smooth transition, CVCC’s enrollment managers go a step further, providing the personal guidance and encouragement students need to succeed every step of the way. Elen Gibbs, enrollment manager for the CVCC Alexander Center for Education, explained that “this relationship often allows us to become familiar with challenges students may face, such as job hours, family responsibilities, and other life factors. With that understanding, I can guide students toward a balanced course load and help ensure their success.” 

Aspiring radiography student Maili Weems described Elen’s impact on her journey, saying, “I call Elen my academic guardian angel. She’s asked me questions that no one else has, and they’ve helped me figure out my future and my career.” At CVCC, enrollment managers support students from admission to graduation, and sometimes even earlier. Student Chloe Echerd first met with Elen while still in high school. “I did CCP and cohort in high school,” Chloe shared. “Elen helped me get a good head start coming into my first year as a full-time CVCC student and made sure I had all of the prerequisites I needed.” 

Many students choose CVCC’s transfer pathway for its financial benefits, flexibility, and proximity to home. Jamie Espinoza shared, “I knew I wanted to earn a four-year degree, so I decided to start at CVCC, take my core classes, and then transfer to a four-year school.” 

University partnerships and articulation agreements make that pathway even stronger. Enrollment manager Buffy Sisk explained that “CVCC’s partnerships with universities enable students to reach their goals because they can connect with college representatives early in the process and start on the right track from the beginning. These partnerships also give students access to additional resources and opportunities provided by the universities.” Students like Alex Blount agree, noting that “once you graduate from CVCC, you have guaranteed admission to select universities in the UNC System, and that’s really great.” 

Like many CVCC alumni, Dulce Barnes was unsure what she wanted to study after high school. Graduating during the uncertainty of the pandemic, she was not initially accepted to Appalachian State University and decided to begin her college journey at CVCC instead. In the fall of 2020, when classes were fully online, Dulce discovered a silver lining. While earning her associate degree, she balanced internships and jobs that often added up to 60-hour workweeks. Despite the remote format, she remained connected through virtual meetings with her enrollment manager, who guided her through the transfer process and helped her stay on track. 

After completing her associate degree at CVCC, Dulce successfully transferred to Appalachian State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication. As a first-generation college student, Dulce credits her enrollment manager and campus resources to help her achieve her dream of higher education. Today, she continues to demonstrate the same resilience that carried her through college. She now works at Corning, serves in the National Guard, and enjoys hiking with her husband and dog. Thanks to the support and guidance she received at CVCC, Dulce turned her goals into accomplishments and built a foundation for lifelong success. 

At CVCC, transfer success is a community effort. Transfer students bring diverse life experiences, academic backgrounds, and personal strengths that enrich the Red Hawk Nation. They also face unique challenges as they move between institutions and work toward their goals. At CVCC, transfer success is not limited to articulation agreements or course plans, but through our campus community to create an environment where every student feels seen, supported, and celebrated as they continue their journey. 

2026 Spring Registration opens October 21, 2025. Please stop by the Enrollment Management office to develop your course plan now for faster enrollment on the first day of registration. Our hours of operation are Monday – Wednesday 8 am – 5 pm and Thursday 9 am – 5 pm. Located in the Student Services Building (Hickory Campus) on the upper-level floor