NEW BERN, N.C. – Craven Community College (Craven CC) and the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) have officially launched the Secondary Teacher Education Partnership Initiative (STEP-IN), a transformative new program designed to train the next generation of teachers in Eastern North Carolina.
Signed on April 30, the STEP-IN partnership provides a seamless, affordable pathway for students interested in pursuing a career in education. Through the program, students can earn an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree at Craven CC, then continue their studies with UNCW through fully online coursework—eliminating the need to relocate or commute long distances.
A key feature of STEP-IN is its commitment to local impact. Students will be able to complete student teaching placements in their home communities, saving significantly on housing and travel while gaining classroom experience in the regions they are likely to serve.
“This partnership is about removing barriers,” said Dr. Kathleen Gallman, Craven CC Vice President for Instruction. “By keeping talented students rooted in their communities, STEP-IN not only helps individuals achieve their dream of becoming teachers, but also addresses the broader challenge of teacher shortages in rural North Carolina.”
UNCW’s College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts (CHSSA), along with its Watson College of Education, are providing flexible, high-quality distance education options for students in the STEP-IN program. All required coursework, including field experiences and internships, will be delivered through synchronous or asynchronous online formats.
“Knowing our history is more important than ever,” said CHSSA Associate Dean Paul Townend. “There is a great tradition of social study teacher formation at UNCW and many years of close collaboration between Watson and UNCW’s history department. This new program will open up that experience in new ways that should be good for everyone. We’ll all be working together to bring great formation to eager future teachers who are closely connected to their communities. The real winners will be students in North Carolina schools, who deserve the best social studies teachers we can provide them with.”
“This initiative is a win-win,” added Gallman. “Students get a clear and cost-effective route to licensure, and school districts gain access to homegrown educators who understand their communities.”
With the STEP-IN initiative now underway, Craven CC and UNCW are leading the way in creating responsive, accessible, and locally focused teacher preparation programs that strengthen education in North Carolina from the ground up.
For more information about the STEP-IN program, visit https://cravencc.edu/uncw.
The new STEP-IN program was signed in June by representatives from UNC Wilmington, Craven CC, James Sprunt CC, Brunswick CC, Wayne CC, Lenoir CC, Carteret CC, and Carteret County Schools.