By Isabelle Tilley
Speaking at the Peace Pathways announcement this fall, junior transfer student Diana Cisneros reflected on what the program has already made possible for her: an affordable path to finish her degree at William Peace University. Peace Pathways, launched this semester in partnership with Wake Technical Community College, is designed to streamline the transfer process for students and cut the cost of tuition.
According to information published on Peace’s website, Wake Tech students who complete their associate degree (AA, AS, or AAS) are guaranteed admission to Peace and can transfer up to 90 credits. Tuition is set at $10,000 a year for in-person programs or $290 per credit hour for online/accelerated options.
“This program is a game-changer for affordability,” said Cisneros. Cisneros, now majoring in Human Resource Management with a minor in Psychology, said the program allowed her to complete her associate degree quickly over the summer and transition easily to Peace.
“I had actually looked at Peace before, but the cost wasn’t realistic for me at the time,” Cisneros said. “When I learned about the Pathways program, I realized I could finally afford to pursue my degree here.”
Cisneros was invited to speak at the official announcement event at Wake Tech earlier this semester, where she joined President Brian Ralph of Wake Tech and President Lynn Morton of William Peace University in presenting the new partnership to students, faculty, and local media.
“At first I was really nervous about speaking, but it turned out to be such a rewarding experience,” said Cisneros. “It pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me develop leadership and public speaking skills. Since then, I’ve been asked to represent Peace again in a ‘Day in the Life’ video project for prospective students.”
Cisneros said the transition from Wake Tech’s larger or online classes to Peace’s smaller, more immersive courses has already changed the way she learns. “At Wake Tech, I took a lot of my classes online, and it felt different,” she said. “Here, I feel like I’m actually retaining what I learn because we apply it in class. The group projects and career support have already connected me to people in my field.”
The smaller environment at Peace makes it easier for students to network. “My advisor is constantly sending me links for internships and introducing me to people in my field,” said Cisneros. “I feel like I’m being prepared not just for graduation, but for life after graduation.”
Cisneros said that although she has only been at Peace for a short time, she has already begun to build community through her classes and projects. “Whoever I end up doing a group project with pretty much becomes my friend in the process,” she said. “It’s a lot easier to make those connections here.”
Asked whether she would recommend Peace Pathways to others, Cisneros said: “Absolutely. It’s affordable, it’s flexible, and it sets you up for success after graduation.”