Courtney Heaton of Rockingham was a former dual enrollment student who earned the RichmondCC Guarantee and paid zero money in tuition for her two years at RichmondCC. She graduated from RichmondCC in 2019 with an Associate in Arts. She then transferred to the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Journalism. She is currently working for the Aberdeen Police Department in the records division. She is planning to go back to school and earn a master’s degree in criminal justice investigative journalism.
How did receiving the RichmondCC Guarantee influence your decision to start your college education at Richmond Community College?
When I graduated high school in 2017, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to further my education but was unsure which direction to take. Receiving the RichmondCC Guarantee allowed me the flexibility and resources to take classes I was interested in and helped me discover career options that I would enjoy. Taking classes like Creative Writing with Mr. Jay Wagers and Sociology with Dr. Angie Adams (who wrote one of my letters of recommendation) helped me realize my passion for writing and my interest in getting a better understanding of people. These courses helped me discover a future in journalism would be the right fit for me. RichmondCC also provided me with an advisor to help me map out the courses that would benefit me most and transfer directly into the major/university of my choice, which happened to be UNC-Chapel Hill at the Hussman School of Journalism.
Did you feel like you were well prepared when you got to UNC- Chapel Hill?
When I transferred to UNC-Chapel Hill in 2019, I felt more prepared than I would have been if I had gone to a university straight out of high school. By attending RichmondCC, I had already learned the disciplines of studying, time management, and communicating with my professors, as well as that 8 a.m. classes were way too early for me. I was confident and comfortable with tasks like making a class schedule that would best suit me and using the university’s resources.
Do you feel like you had a well-rounded college experience?
Despite popular belief, when you transfer to a four-year university you don’t have a sign on your back that says, “I’m a transfer student!” Even students who have been there since the first year struggle to find their classes and ask for directions. If anything, being a transfer student has some of the best benefits seasoned students do not get. UNC-Chapel Hill has an entire team of staff devoted exclusively to transfer students. UNC also offered an elective course specifically for transfer students in your year. Taking advantage of those resources allowed me to form lifelong friendships and overcome some of the anxiety and imposter syndrome of being new.
Did you or your family save money by starting at RichmondCC and then transferring?
The financial relief that the RichmondCC Guarantee provided was a massive part of what drew my (and my parent’s) attention to the program. It’s a free education! This is a huge advantage as someone who comes from a household where my parents are still paying for their tuition debt (and will be for several years). I obtained the same level of education as my parents and classmates, and I did it for a fraction of the price. By choosing to take advantage of the RichmondCC Guarantee, I am helping my finances for my future. While I didn’t realize it fresh out of high school, my credit and debt ratio would significantly impact my post-grad self, especially when it came to purchasing a car or getting a house. I have saved myself (and my family) thousands of dollars in debt by choosing to attend RCC.
Why would you recommend someone attending RichmondCC first versus going straight to a four-year university after graduating high school?
If there is one thing I could stress about my transfer student experience, it would be to emphasize that you are not “late” to university life but are right on time. I guarantee nobody would be able to pick you out of a room and clock you as a “transfer.” All they would see is what you are, a fellow college student. There are many opportunities to meet people and make friends in clubs, sports and social events offered by universities. Almost everyone is there for the same reason: to get their education and to form friendships along the way. In the end, you will all earn the same amount of credit hours to go towards your diploma.
Also, there are way more transfer students than you think! Some students are transferring in from other four-year universities. These students have been paying full tuition at a university to be in the same position as you. Another considerable benefit of transferring from RichmondCC is that they will ensure you are enrolled in classes that will be counted as credit towards your degree. In other transfer programs, not all credits are accepted, which can be a huge setback from a financial and educational aspect.