North Carolina Central University (NCCU) is celebrating a landmark year with historic enrollment, national accolades and transformative achievements in academics, research and student engagement.
“NCCU is poised to soar to even greater heights in the years to come,” said NCCU Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon. “We are building a strong foundation for growth, student development, community engagement and operational excellence. We launched a new five-year strategic plan with input from the broader NCCU community and stakeholders, and we are just getting started on our bright vision for the future.”
Enrollment and Student Success
NCCU led the University of North Carolina (UNC) System in enrollment growth for both Fall 2024 and Spring 2025, welcoming its largest student body ever, 8,579 strong. This surge reflects NCCU’s appeal and effectiveness of its strategic enrollment management efforts. In the face of a very high demand for an NCCU education, the university was still able to provide on-campus housing for 38% of the student body, far exceeding the UNC System average of 28% for on-campus housing.
In the department of nursing, the Accelerated BSN program achieved a 100% licensing exam (NCLEX) passage rate in Fall 2024. In Spring 2025, the overall NCLEX passage rate reached 94%, exceeding UNC standards and outperforming the national average by 111.5%.
NCCU also remains a top destination for veterans and working professionals. U.S. News & World Report ranked its online programs No. 2 among historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) nationwide and No. 9 in North Carolina. The online bachelor's degree in business administration ranked sixth statewide and second among North Carolina’s HBCUs. NCCU’s online programs for veterans were ranked No. 5 in the state and No. 2 among HBCUs.
Innovation, Institutional Leadership and Investment
NCCU made history as the first HBCU to establish an institute dedicated to artificial intelligence. The university formed pioneering partnerships with industry giants Google, OpenAI, IBM, Anthropic, Cisco, Dell, AWS Academy and others to create cutting-edge learning opportunities for students and drive cross-disciplinary innovation.
The university welcomed key functional leaders with decades of higher education experience, strengthening its executive capacity and operational excellence. NCCU’s financial standing remains strong, with Moody’s affirming its A3 credit rating. The university made important strides in strengthening its financial footing, including embarking on proactive cost savings campaigns and restoring operating relationships with key vendors.
The university exceeded its annual fundraising goal, bringing in $17.2 million in gifts and commitments to support academic programs, student services and scholarship funding. An alumni giving rate of 10% - surpassing the national average - underscored Eagle Pride and deep commitment to future generations.
Academic Recognition and Program Growth
New academic programs launched or approved this fiscal year include a doctoral degree in counseling, counselor education and supervision, and a new bachelor’s program in formulations and packaging science, both set to debut in Fall 2025. NCCU was also named a FirstGen Forward Network Champion, highlighting its commitment to first-generation student success.
The university’s academic reputation continues to climb:
- No. 1 HBCU Psychology Program (Best Colleges, 2024)
- No. 9 Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in North Carolina (U.S. News & World Report, 2025)
- Best Online Bachelor’s in Nutrition Science (Forbes, 2024)
- No. 3 Most Affordable Online MBA in North Carolina (College Consensus, 2024)
- No. 1 in N.C. and Top 3 in Forbes’ list of Best HBCUs with Online Degrees (2025)
NCCU’s faculty and leadership received national recognition. Vice Chancellor Angela Coleman, Ed.D., (Student Affairs) was named to the prestigious Millennium Leadership Initiative Cohort. Associate Vice Chancellor Sharon Oliver, Ed.D., (Enrollment Management) earned the Meritorious Achievement Award from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. Nursing Department Chair Yolanda VanRiel, Ph.D., was named a 2025 Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. Both Siobahn Day Grady, Ph.D., and Drew Johnson, Ph.D., were selected as American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Fellows.
Athletics and Student Life
The NCCU football team became the first and only HBCU team to achieve a perfect 1,000 Academic Progress Rate (APR), an historic feat reflecting strong student-athlete academic support and discipline.
Student engagement remained high, with nearly 2,800 students contributing to over 161,385 hours of community service, delivering an economic impact of $5.6 million and further cementing the university’s achievement of the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification.
The NCCU Jazz Combo 1 took first runner-up at the prestigious Monterey Jazz HBCU competition. The university also earned a Best in Class Award for the highest registration rate at an HBCU and received a Bronze Seal for Excellence in Student Voter Engagement from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.
Infrastructure Development
NCCU began a dedicated effort to repair and refurbish its physical infrastructure over the past year to improve the student and employee experience. The university implemented numerous capital projects focused on replacing or repairing aging roofs, HVAC systems, elevators and other life safety infrastructure in residence halls and academic buildings. This financial investment is among the earliest steps towards addressing the university’s backlog of deferred maintenance.
Local and Global Impact and National Prestige
Strategic partnerships with local and statewide institutions such as neighboring Durham Technical Community College and Duke University delivered career-enriching development opportunities to students. Recognizing the need for stronger connections to Durham’s faith-based community, the first annual clergy breakfast was held to reintroduce the university to this important stakeholder group. The university redoubled its efforts to engage with the North Carolina General Assembly, reestablishing a government relations office and hosting legislators on campus to witness NCCU’s transformation first-hand.
NCCU was also recognized as a Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader by the U.S. Department of State, affirming its global reach and commitment to cultural and academic exchange.