UNC System Expands Statewide Commitment to Support Adults Returning to College

UNC System's partnership with ReUp Education will empower more learners to complete a credential of value through personalized support and coaching.

RALEIGH, N.C., July 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of North Carolina System today announced it will increase its commitment to adult learners across the state by expanding an existing partnership with ReUp Education, a national leader in reenrolling college stopouts. This initiative has already supported more than 4,200 North Carolina learners in finding their way back to college at a UNC institution over the past two years, and renewed funding will reengage thousands more.

"Engaging and supporting adult learners is central to our mission of expanding access and opportunity through higher education," said Shun Robertson, senior vice president for strategy and policy at the University of North Carolina System. "We know that education unlocks enormous potential both for individuals and for our state, and this expanded partnership will help grow North Carolina's workforce and increase economic opportunity in our communities."

According to data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, the state of North Carolina is home to an estimated 1.1 million residents with some college credit but no credential. These individuals who stopped out represent a critical but often overlooked talent pipeline. Many of these learners have poured time and resources into their pursuit of education beyond high school but have not gained a credential or degree of value.

"As a native North Carolinian and UNC alum, I'm inspired by the opportunity to help learners across the state return to college and complete their degrees," said Terah Crews, CEO of ReUp Education. "I also followed a non-traditional path through school, so I understand the power in helping someone finish what they started. ReUp is honored to continue working with the UNC System to ensure that adult learners have the guidance and support they need to move forward in their educational journey."

Originally launched in 2023, this partnership renewal will expand existing services by layering in additional coaching for newly-returned learners all the way through to degree completion. By reconnecting these learners to opportunities through education, the program is helping to close regional opportunity gaps and strengthen the state's talent pipeline to meet urgent workforce demands.

The initiative will operate in partnership with 10 UNC System universities: Appalachian State University, East Carolina University, Fayetteville State University, UNC Asheville, UNC Charlotte, UNC Greensboro, UNC Pembroke, UNC Wilmington, Western Carolina University, and Winston-Salem State University. ReUp has already begun supporting students from these institutions with coaching and wraparound support, with learners able to reenroll to get back on track and achieve their higher education goals.

Over the past decade, ReUp has supported more than 50,000 adult learners across 140 institutional partnerships and helped institutions recapture over $150 million in tuition revenue. In North Carolina alone, ReUp's work to date will contribute an estimated $46 million to the state's economy through taxes and consumer spending in learners' first year after completion due to projected salary increases and additional job opportunities that a bachelor's degree provides.

To learn more about how North Carolinians with college credit can take the next step toward completing their degree, visit reupeducation.com.

About ReUp Education

ReUp Education is the industry leader in reengaging and supporting students who have stopped out of college. By combining personalized coaching with data analytics, ReUp partners with institutions and states to bring learners back to higher education and help them successfully complete their degrees. Since its founding in 2015, ReUp has reenrolled over 50,000 learners and helped institutions realize more than $156 million in additional revenue.

SOURCE ReUp Education