Coordinator:  Dr. Gregory Davis
UNC-Charlotte
318D Fretwell Building
9201 University City Boulevard
Charlotte, North Carolina 28223

Kristen Withers, Co-Coordinator (704) 687-4386                 

The UTOP Experience

The UTOP program began in 1986 to facilitate the underrepresented student's transition from high school to college. By involving incoming UNC-Charlotte Freshmen in a rigorous five-week summer collegiate experience, UTOP builds upon the scholastic abilities of the students through college courses and contact with University academic support services. 

Academic advising and monitoring continue throughout the student's career at UNC-Charlotte. UTOP offers invitations to a limited number of students. Preference is given to student's who live in small towns, rural areas, and inner city communities and typically have had limited access to academic support services in the public schools. 

The Learning Community
UTOP is also a Learning Community (LC).  Thirty-two students who participated in the UTOP summer experience are selected to participate.
Click here to learn more.

How UTOP Works 
Participants enroll in three courses from the standard University curriculum - two English courses (freshmen composition and supplemental English) and a  freshmen seminar course that is chemistry, math, or arts, social science or humanities based. Upon completion of the program, UTOP students receive seven credit hours toward graduation. 

UTOP uses the University's support services, primarily the University Center for Academic Excellence and the Writing Resources Center to supplement the standard curriculum. At both centers, professional staff and student tutors teach academic strategies. The University Center for Academic Excellence academic counselors work individually and with groups of UTOP students four times a week. Areas of instruction include:

• Computer assisted instruction

• Exam strategies 

• Learning, study skills assessment

• Note-taking/textbook reading

• Personality inventories

• Time management tips

The Writing Resources Center assigns each student an individual tutor, who meets with the student twice weekly to discuss writing skills. The WRC teaches:

• Research strategies and tips

• Writing and revising methods

• Editing, proofreading techniques                                               

How To Become A Participant
An invitation letter is sent to incoming freshmen. The letter provides an overview of UTOP and program cost. If you are interested in applying, please click on the FORMS, select the UTOP Participant application, fill in your information  and submit.

UTOP Assessment
UTOP's staff is committed to providing quality academic support services to underrepresented students at UNC-Charlotte. To ensure we are meeting our goals we track the progress of program participants from enrollment in the program until graduation and seven years beyond graduation.

From July 1996, through December 2000, 353 students have participated in UTOP.  Out of 353 students, 197 graduated from UNC-Charlotte and 10 graduated from other institutions. Since UTOP's beginning, over fifty-two percent of our participants have earned degrees.

Click here to view assessments from the Office of Institutional Research

UTOP Alumni Speak

"The UTOP program is more than just a bridge program.  This program offers services beyond the five weeks during the summer.  The contacts and people you meet during the summer have been
beneficial throughout my years here at UNC-Charlotte."   -Melissa "Tia" Moore, (UTOP 2000)

"The University Transitional Opportunity Program sets the standard for the participants to follow as they successfully begin college.  It also gives students the motivation to be the better student at the university and in all their endeavors.  As a former participant and counselor, I'm convinced that UTOP is one of, if not, the most effective program on the campus of UNC-Charlotte."   -Geno Brown, (UTOP 2000)

"To be part of UTOP is to be a part of an advancement:  early friendships, early classes, tutorial assistance and just simple college advice; a most wonderful way to begin college on the right track, with loving and caring individuals always there to support, comfort, and lend a helping hand!"   -Amanda Younger, (UTOP 2000)