Project Kitty Hawk Surpasses 1,000 Students Served; UNC Partner Universities Earn Accolades for Online Programs
Enrollment in Project Kitty Hawk-powered online programs grows 65% since last fall
Raleigh, NC — Enrollment in degree programs powered by Project Kitty Hawk has increased 65% since the start of Fall 2024. Project Kitty Hawk’s 14 bachelor’s degree programs served 923 students in January, up from 558 in September.
In total, more than 1,100 students have enrolled in an online degree program powered by Project Kitty Hawk since the first program launched in October 2023.
The latest figures come as Project Kitty Hawk’s three partner universities — North Carolina Central University, Appalachian State University and East Carolina University — all earned high marks from U.S. News and World Report for their online degree programs.
Project Kitty Hawk is a nonprofit affiliate of the UNC System that helps North Carolina’s public universities develop and launch online degree programs specifically designed for adults. The degree programs powered by Project Kitty Hawk, called “Flight Path” programs, focus on in-demand fields like cybersecurity, nursing and accounting. There are 14 Flight Path programs live right now.
“ECU has long been recognized as North Carolina’s leader in online education. Our partnership with Project Kitty Hawk has amplified our mission to serve the people of Eastern North Carolina and across the state, growing our enrollment and creating opportunity for hundreds of working adults,” said ECU Chancellor Philip Rogers.
App State Interim Chancellor Heather Norris said: “Appalachian State University was founded with a mission of increasing access to education, and we are proud to join Project Kitty Hawk in this partnership. To ensure North Carolina’s bright future, it is essential to create clear pathways for all students — those beginning and those continuing their educational journeys — to succeed in their professional and personal endeavors. Our partnership with Project Kitty Hawk — under a year old — is helping us deliver on that promise.”
“North Carolina Central University is thrilled to partner with Project Kitty Hawk to expand online learning opportunities and empower adult learners with greater access to higher education,” said NCCU Chancellor Karrie Dixon. “This collaboration reflects our commitment to innovative educational practices that break down barriers and open doors for those seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills. Together, we are not only shaping the future of education but also transforming lives and communities.”
Appalachian State jumped 24 spots in the 2025 U.S. News and World Report rankings and is now in the top 16% of U.S. colleges and universities for best online bachelor’s programs. East Carolina counts three online master’s programs that are among the top 10 in the country. And North Carolina Central University ranked among the top-five HBCUs in the nation for online bachelor’s degrees, with its online Bachelor’s in Business Administration (a Flight Path program) earning top spots in North Carolina and across the country.
Project Kitty Hawk CEO Andrew Kelly said: “North Carolina has the best public universities in the country. Project Kitty Hawk extends the System’s reach to adults who often juggle a full-time job, care for children, and other responsibilities that can limit their opportunity to earn a college degree. We’re seeing strong growth, and just as importantly we’re hearing great feedback from our university partners.”
Project Kitty Hawk’s impact on the UNC System goes beyond Flight Path programs. The initiative’s re-enrollment program has recruited back to one of the state’s public universities 3,700 students who started a degree in the System but never finished.
“From the Flight Path programs to the re-enrollment effort, Project Kitty Hawk has helped our System continue to grow undergraduate enrollment,” said UNC System President Peter Hans. “And this is just the beginning.”
Project Kitty Hawk “Flight Path” Programs
Appalachian State University: BS Health Care Management; BSBA: Supply Chain Management; BSBA Accounting; BS Criminal Justice; BS Organizational Leadership and Learning
East Carolina University: BA Psychology; BS Info & Cybersecurity Technology; BS Multidisciplinary Studies: Security Studies; BS Criminal Justice
North Carolina Central University: RN to BSN; BS Information Technology; Bachelors of Business Administration; BS Health Administration; BS Public Health Education
Published: February 18, 2025
