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
NC Public School Forum Launches Second RTLN West Cohort
Oct 28, 2025
The North Carolina Public School Forum’s Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity and Opportunity,
Education Policy Fellowship Program 2025-2026 Cohort
Sep 24, 2025
The Public School Forum has announced the newest cohort for the 2025-2026 Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP).
Isothermal GEAR UP Hosts Middle School Leadership Camp
Sep 5, 2025
On July 23rd, Isothermal Community College hosted a one-day leadership camp for rising 6th, 7th, and 8
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.