49er Finish Program called ‘Model of Excellence’

The University’s 49er Finish Program recently was named a 2015 Model of Excellence in the winter edition of University Business magazine.

“UNC Charlotte created a concierge service that caters to a tough demographic: students who dropped out during their senior year,” said University Business senior editor Tim Goral. “The program’s communications are tailored to individual former students, finding unique solutions for a pervasive problem, one person at a time.”

Goral added that the program has generated $400,000 in additional revenue for the University by encouraging individuals who stopped short of their degree to return.

“We try hard to keep students from becoming stop-outs, but so many must overcome significant challenges to complete their educations. It’s great to have a program that says to students, it’s never too late to complete your degree, and we are here to help make it happen. I am always thrilled to see those 49er Finish students cross the stage at graduation,” stated Joan Lorden, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.

“This is yet another accolade for our award-winning program that is helping our former students to achieve their dreams of obtaining their college degrees,” said Janet Daniel, director of the Office of Adult Students and Evening Services, which administers the 49er Finish Program. In 2012, the 49er Finish Program received the Malcolm Knowles Award presented by the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education, and it was named Outstanding Institutional Advising Program by the National Academic Advising Association in 2009.

OASES has developed customized marketing materials to encourage former students with 90-plus credit hours and at least a 2.0 GPA to consider returning to finish their degree. According to OASES, the office has recruited 850 of the 3,000 students contacted during the past 10 years.

Jillian Stubbs, coordinator for the 49er Finish Program, stated, Having one direct point of contact is key for the program’s unique concierge-style advising model that allows each student to work with one person during the re-admissions process.

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