Garner Headed to Carolina Via C-STEP Guaranteed Admission

Richmond Community College student Hadley Garner was recently accepted into the C-STEP Program, which means she has guaranteed admission to the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill for the 2025 fall semester.

The Carolina Student Excellence (C-STEP) program is a dual-admission, dual-enrollment agreement between UNC-Chapel Hill and RichmondCC. RichmondCC students who are admitted into the program receive guaranteed admission to UNC-Chapel Hill while finishing their degree at RichmondCC.

“I applied to Chapel Hill because it is my top choice for college,” Hadley said. “Through this program, I am able to complete my Associate in Arts degree at a low cost and keep my job. Then I can enter Chapel Hill as a junior with confidence and stability.”

Hadley is a server at Banh-Sen Noodle Bar & Street Food in Southern Pines.

Hadley plans to major in linguistics. She hopes to pursue a law degree so that she can enter the world of politics or international relations.

“Richmond Community College has helped me accomplish my goals by providing me an opportunity to get an education close to home at an affordable cost, as well as helped me transfer to the college of my choice.”

Hadley graduated from Richmond Senior High School in June. While in high school, she took free college classes at RichmondCC through the Dual Enrollment program so she already has accrued college credits.

C-STEP students get support from a network of peers and faculty mentors who help them succeed both at RichmondCC and after they transition to Carolina. C-STEP also gives students access to special events at Carolina.

“C-STEP students will be academically prepared and fully engaged in their college and university communities – setting them on a path to success,” said Quentin Locklear, C-STEP advisor at RichmondCC.

C-STEP is one of 10 guaranteed admissions programs that RichmondCC has to offer students. The other are:

• Appalachian State University (Aspire Appalachian)
• East Carolina University (Pirate Promise)
• NC State University (C3)
• NC A&T State University (Aggie Plus Program)
• UNC-Pembroke (BraveStep)
• UNC-Wilmington (PathWays)
• Gardner-Webb University (Bulldog Bound)
• Lees-McRae University (GAP)
• Pfeiffer University (Pfeiffer Pact)