Our History
In 1971, Dr. Cecil G. Sheps recognized the severe shortage of underrepresented minority health professionals in North Carolina, especially in rural and inner-city communities. Vowing to help provide a solution, he founded NC-HCAP (then called the NC Health Manpower Development Program) to provide academic enrichment programs and activities geared toward minority and disadvantaged students.
For 40 years, we have assisted thousands of students reach their goal of becoming health professionals and have provided career and educational resources for parents, school/college administrators, and community leaders.
Timeline
1971
Dr. Cecil G. Sheps established the NC Health Manpower Development Program (NCHMDP)
Eva Clayton was named director
1976
UNC General Administration underwrote a portion of the Central Office on UNC’s campus
Additional NC-HCAP centers were established at Elizabeth City State University, NC Central University and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke
1974
NCHMDP became an interinstitutional program of the University of North Carolina
Dr. E. Lavonia Allison was named director
1979
Science Enrichment Preparation (SEP) Program began with 30 students
1981
NCHMDP celebrated its 10th anniversary
1990
Dr. Carolyn M. Mayo was named director
NCHMDP officially changed its name to NC Health Careers Access Program
1991
NC-HCAP began reaching pre-college students with the addition of Health Careers Information & Enrichment (HCIE) workshops
1996
NC-HCAP celebrated its 25th anniversary
1998
NC-HCAP Ambassador Program was founded and established as an official student organization at UNC
2006
NC-HCAP celebrated its 35th anniversary
Dr. Patrena N. Benton was named director
2008
SEP Program welcomes 50 students to become the largest class to date
Health Careers Day on the Hill was created for high school students
2009
SEP Program celebrates its 30th anniversary
2010
SEP Program doubles original enrollment size with 60 students – the largest in the program’s history
Dr. Rosalyn Beecham-Green was named director