From Hours to Seconds: NCCU Advances Transfer Innovation with AI at Quantum Leap Summit

The North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Office of Transfer Servicesis advancing innovation in higher education following its participation in the Quantum Leap AI Summit, a national gathering focused on the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in student success, compliance and institutional effectiveness. 

During  the conference, NCCU  showcased  its implementation of the  Light Leap Prism Platform, an AI-powered solution designed to streamline the transfer credit evaluation process. The platform reduces evaluation time from an average of  45 minutes to one hour to approximately 12 seconds, significantly increasing efficiency and service delivery. 

As a result,  Cindy Love, Ph.D., director of transfer services, received the  Light Leap Innovator of the  Year  award, highlighting NCCU's leadership in applying emerging technology to improve transfer processes.  The decision to adopt the platform was influenced by new system-wide expectations. 

"The Office of Transfer Services was inspired to implement the Light Leap Prism Platform in response to a directive from the University of North Carolina System requiring all system institutions to complete course equivalency evaluations within 15 business days of a student's admission," said Love. 

This directive reinforces the importance of  timely  and  accurate  credit evaluation, allowing transfer students to better understand how previously earned coursework applies to their degree programs. 

"By promptly determining how transferred coursework applies toward degree  requirements,  students are better equipped to make informed decisions about their academic pathways," Love explained. 

With the platform, students receive transfer credit evaluations more quickly and gain earlier insight into their academic standing, including class classification. This clarity supports academic planning and a smoother transition to NCCU.

Timely recognition of transfer credits can reduce unnecessary coursework, shorten time to degree completion, and lower the cost of extended enrollment.

The Light Leap Prism Platform replaces a  largely manual  process with an automated, data-driven system that enhances both speed and transparency. 

"Artificial intelligence, when implemented responsibly and ethically, has the potential to significantly enhance transfer services and student support in higher education," Love said. "By leveraging AI-driven insights and automation, transfer services staff will be better positioned to support transfer student organizations, develop specialized programs, and strengthen partnerships with community colleges."