History

our story

In fall 2005, the Office of Adult Students & Extended Services started a graduation and retention initiative called the 49er Finish Program to target former undergraduate seniors who stopped out of UNC Charlotte. Recognizing the time, money, and hard work that students have already invested in their education, the program encourages students to continue their success by finishing their degree. In the fall of 2007, we celebrated our first graduates, and nearly 100 students have graduated every year since.

The program won the outstanding advising program award from the National Academic Advising Association in 2009 and the Malcolm Knowles Award for Outstanding Adult Education Program in 2012. The American Association of State Colleges and Universities recognized the 49er Finish Program as an important innovation in public higher education in 2013. In summer of 2015, staff created an innovative model to be emulated by UNC System Institutions.

In November of 2015, the program was named a ‘Model of Excellence’ in the winter edition of the University Business Magazine.