Writer: Eleana Teran
2 min read February 2024 — In another step to enhance adult online education and address workforce needs, a nonprofit ed-tech startup created post-pandemic recently launched its first online degree programs in information technology and nursing in conjunction with the University of North Carolina system.
The initiative, called Project Kitty Hawk, was allotted $97 million in funding from state lawmakers in December 2021 with a plan to launch 120 online programs and add 24,000 new enrollments across the UNC system’s 16 campuses by 2027, particularly focusing on reaching more adult learners.
Project Kitty Hawk was established to adapt the University of North Carolina System to the evolving needs of today’s learners and the labor market through its comprehensive platform that assists universities in admissions, marketing, coaching, and curriculum design, while universities manage the course and degree programs.
Access to higher education remains a challenge for many working adults in the state, who face several constraints including time and financial resources. According to Lumina’s annual Stronger Nation report, 54.4% of adults aged 25 to 64 in North Carolina have earned a postsecondary degree or credential, aligning with the national rate of 54.3%. Yet, education gaps across racial and ethnic groups are still prevalent.
The percentage of residents in North Carolina between 25 and 64 years old with an associates degree or higher is 48.1%, however, those percentages are lower for Black (38.2%), Hispanic (26.4%), and American Indian or Alaska Native (27.7%) adults.
A recent report from myFutureNC showed between 2019 and 2022 North Carolina witnessed an increase in overall education attainment, growing from 53.4% to 57.4% among adults aged 25 to 44. Despite progress, the state still lags behind its trajectory needed to meet the goal of 2 million degree or credential holders by 2030.
The U.S. e-learning market is expected to grow by $56.44 billion from 2023 to 2028, highlighting the increasing demand and potential of online education to effectively meet the needs of diverse learners. Moreover, according to Prosperity for All, the number of people enrolling in online courses is predicted to reach up to 57 million by 2025. Women are the majority in both undergraduate and graduate online college student populations, comprising almost two-thirds of the total students. However, recent data indicate that online education also faces racial gaps, with approximately 70% of EducationDynamics’s Online College Students Report 2023 survey respondents identifying as White, nearly 25% identifying as Black or African American, and 20% identifying as being of Hispanic origin.
Going forward, the project is expected to add a bachelor’s degree in business administration and more programs in psychology, criminal justice, cybersecurity, and multidisciplinary studies at East Carolina University. Project Kitty Hawk is slated to begin working with seven more universities by June 2028, adjusting to new rules and offering a broad range of educational options for North Carolina’s diverse population.
