News

College Adviser Meets Students Where They Are

College Adviser Meets Students Where They Are
Apr 9, 2025

On September 24, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Ashe County, North Carolina. 

College Advising Corps, Front page
Daphne Johnson Reflects on Helene

Helene Reflections- Six Months After the Storm
Mar 26, 2025

This week marks six months since Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina and left a permanent scar on the lives of thousands of students across the High Country. Upward Bound
Science of the Storm Event

Making Meaning in the Wake of Helene
Mar 26, 2025

In September 2024, western North Carolina experienced what has been described as a once-in-a-100 (to some once-in-1000) year storm.

GEAR UP, Front page
Western Rural Teacher Leader Network Announcement

Western Rural Teacher Leader Network Announcement
Feb 1, 2023

The Rural Teacher Leadership Network (RTLN), is designed to bring together diverse groups of educa

GEAR UP, Front page
GEAR UP & Participate Learning Join Partnership to Focus on Western NC Schools

GEAR UP & Participate Learning Join Partnership to Focus on Western NC Schools
Jan 17, 2023

A new partnership between GEAR UP and Participate Learning seeks to join forces with 10 western North Carolina school districts to help promote college and career readiness...

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Baylee Smith, Ashe Adviser

Behind the Scenes of First Generation
Jan 9, 2023

Growing up, I knew nothing about college. My mom and dad had me soon after they graduated high school. My dad attended trade school and still is a truck driver.

College Advising Corps, Front page
Rachel Nelson

Perspective | North Carolina schools are anything but ‘low-performing’
Dec 16, 2022

Over the past three months, our team from the Empowering Teacher Learning (ETL) project at Appalachian State University has been traversing western North Carolina and engaging...

Empowering Teacher Learning, Front page
GEAR UP Hosts Out of This World Family Design Night

GEAR UP Hosts Out of This World Family Design Night
Dec 12, 2022

The GEAR UP Academic Innovation Team led by Doug Thompso

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Swain County GEAR UP Students Tour App State

Swain County GEAR UP Fall College Tour
Nov 23, 2022

Earlier this month, 24 high school seniors from Swain County High School embarked on a statewide college tour led by ...

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Ashley Bingman, Adviser Mitchell HS

Creating Your Own Path
Nov 18, 2022

Coming from a family history of virtually no one having pursued postsecondary education, I felt a desire to get a headstart on my college career.

College Advising Corps
Peyton Johnson

Mental Health and College Access
Nov 11, 2022

During my undergraduate degree, I studied psychology.

College Advising Corps
October Family Design Night

October Family Design Night
Nov 4, 2022

Nearly 100 families from Ashe, Burke, Swain, Wilkes, and Yancey County participated in a recent GEAR UP Family Design Night. 

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EPFP GEAR UP Cohort 2022-23

EPFP GEAR UP Cohort 2022-23
Oct 26, 2022

The Educational Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP) is a national program coordinated by the 

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