http://66.225.205.104/0513Northeastern.mp3
Northeastern University is a prestigious institution that doesn't get much mention in Charlotte. Why would it? Northeastern is in Boston, after all. But the private college plans on making a home in Charlotte as well. Northeastern is in the process of seeking state approval to open a graduate program Uptown, possibly as early as the fall. The school has already hired a dean for the Charlotte campus. She's Cheryl Richards, currently dean of Central Piedmont Community College's Cato campus. The Charlotte area doesn't have enough options for graduate-level education, in part because it grew so fast, says Philomena Mantella, Northeastern's vice president for enrollment management and student affairs. "It's really not a place where you have a newcomer coming in and elbowing out to existing institutions," she says. "In fact, you have a new institution coming in and adding to the richness of higher education in the region." Northeastern plans to offer eight master's-level programs and one doctoral degree. First, it needs approval from the UNC System Board of Governors. Board representatives will travel to the school's Boston campus on May 26th for a site visit as part of the licensure process. WFAE's Scott Graf spoke to Mantella about Northeastern's plans. You can listen to the interview here. She spoke to us from Boston. Our first question: Why Charlotte?