College Access Partnerships became part of the Office of Research and Innovation in 2025 and is now under the umbrella of the new Office of Rural Promise.
The Office of Rural Promise (ORP) housed in the Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) builds partnerships to solve big challenges in rural communities; designs and implements services that impact rural students, families and educators; conducts evaluation and research on its programs to share with the field and recommends strategies and policy. Our team brings together rural leaders and leverages the existing strengths and innovations in our communities.
College Access Partnerships
College Access Partnerships (CAP) supports students from the Appalachian region of North Carolina to find their own unique path to postsecondary education and achieve their dreams.
Learning in the Professions
Learning in the Professions applies a self-directed micro-credential model to professional learning, providing consulting on micro-credential design and implementation, custom professional learning using institutional expertise, and program evaluation for grant recipients.
NC Rural Education Collaborative
The NC Rural Education Collaborative serves as the state affiliate for the National Rural Education Association. The program works across all of NC to bring rural educators together providing services to rural schools.
Latest News
What is the NC Rural Education Collaborative?
Nov 21, 2025
The NC Rural Education Collaborative is th
Empowering Teachers at Home and Abroad
Nov 20, 2025
From August 29th to September 5th, Dr.
Mountaineer Expedition Guides Students Through App State Admissions
Nov 19, 2025
On November 7th, GEAR UP students from Ashe County High School, Watauga High School, Alleghany High School, and Wilkes Central High School t
We believe the best way for our region to grow economically is to educate our students beyond high school. We build strategic partnerships that support our mission to strengthen local communities through college access and success. Our partners include community businesses and organizations, higher education and western NC school districts.