Aspiring Eagles Academy Summer Bridge Program (AEA) provides a comprehensive orientation and academic support program designed to ease the transition from high school to college while building a solid educational foundation. The Academy focuses on a specialized population of underrepresented students such as first-generation and rural students.
Applicants selected to participate in AEA consist of a cohort model, half of whom are first-generation college students. The academy includes a hybrid 5-week Summer Bridge program, a living-learning community, cultural enrichment, study, travel abroad, intrusive academic coaching and focused academic support. The AEA Summer Bridge Program is open to in-state or out-of-state students who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
AEA 4-Year Graduation Rate
AEA Student Retention Rate
Average GPA of Cohort 21 (First-Year Cumulative GPA)
The Aspiring Eagles Academy (AEA) at NCCU aims to provide foundational academic support and guidance to AEA scholars as they transition from high school to NCCU. We work closely with our scholars and offer ongoing support throughout their entire academic careers. One of the program's specific goals is to provide scholars with the opportunity to enhance their academic performance and skill set as they transition into and progress through their majors.
Zyon Rodgers (Cohort 20) served as an intern chief finance officer for the Durham Success Summit last summer. During his internship, he oversaw all the budgets and also created a financial literacy curriculum for the scholar programs. He is currently serving as the University Honors Program director of campus partnerships and the NAACP treasurer. Zyon also helps out with the Career and Professional Development Center as a career eagle officer. Outside of school, he is an ambassador for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Cricket Wireless, Redbull, Amazon and also Samsung. He enjoys spending time with family, meeting new people, and most importantly giving back to his community.
Drake Dais entered North Carolina Central University during the summer of 2016 as a member of the Aspiring Eagles Academy and is a recent 2020 graduate. She received her B.B.A. focusing in Human Resource Management. Drake currently serves as the chief of staff to the Firmwide Campus Diversity Lead and Global Head of Corporate, Consumer and General Management Campus Recruiting. In this role, Drake helps to oversee 11 campus programs and all the campus diversity partners while building a competitive recruiting strategy to keep JPMC at the forefront of the financial industry.
Thirty percent of each cohort of Aspiring Eagles Academy consists of student-athletes at North Carolina Central University. Participating in AEA allows students to interact with each other and build friendships during the program while also allowing for lessons on classroom etiquette. Topics throughout the summer include but are not limited to note-taking, test preparation, study habits, NCAA guidelines, academic misconduct, student-athlete time management, mental health and other topics that will help a new student-athlete thrive at North Carolina Central University.
Have questions? Learn more about AEA.
Take a look at these images of some of our outstanding students.
Select "Aspiring Eagles Academy" from the dropdown menu to support professional development and academic enrichment activities such as guest speakers and national and international travel.
The application period begins in November 2022, and the deadline is May 2023.
AEA Office Staff
White, Jesse
Administrative Support Associate
University College
York, Marquise A
Coordinator of Student Transition and Engagement
University College
Young, Mckayla E
Director of Student Transition and Engagement
University College
Alexander-Dunn Building, Room 101 
919-530-6932