The Office of Rural Promise (ORP) combines the efforts of College Access Partnerships as well as other units across campus and the region to leverage a network of subject-matter experts to build solution-oriented programs that serve and enrich our rural communities. Our planning, partnership-building, implementation and resulting research are almost exclusively externally funded.
Vision
All students of the North Carolina Appalachian region will be college ready.
Mission
The Office of Rural Promise, housed in the Office of Research and Innovation (ORI), is committed to addressing challenges rural schools face and building strategic partnerships to strengthen local communities. Our team brings together rural leaders and leverages the existing strengths and innovations in our communities by supporting teachers, counselors and educators and through direct services to students.
Programs
The Office of Rural Promise is made up of several large federal and private grant programs which include:
- GEAR UP
- Upward Bound
- Young Eisner Scholars
- Empowering Teacher Learning
- On Ramp Appalachia
- Advise NC at Appalachian State
- GREAT STEM
- NC Rural Education Collaborative
Our Model
Our model focuses on 3 core priorities that serve as the foundation for everything we do.
Partnerships
Build partnerships to solve big challenges in education.
(Education, Communities, Region-State)
Services
Design and implement services that impact students, families, and educators in our region and state.
(Students, Families, Educators)
Research
Conduct evaluation and research on our programs, share with the field, and recommend strategies and policy.
(Evaluation, Research, Stories)