News

YES Day Camp

YES Day Camp Sparks Creativity and Connection for WNC Students
Jul 8, 2025

From June 16th through 27th, the Young Eisner Scholar (YES) Day Camp welcomed two cohorts of rising 7th and 8th graders from Ashe and Watauga Counties at the Ashe campus of Wilkes Community...

Young Eisner Scholars, Front page
Student Spotlight

GEAR UP Alumni Spotlight: Brenda Palacios Rodriguez
Jun 30, 2025

Brenda Palacios Rodriguez never envisioned herself attending college. 

GEAR UP, Front page
MTCC Campus Visit

Interactive McDowell Technical Community College Visit Welcomes GEAR UP Students to Campus
Jun 26, 2025

What do you get when you cross a slushie machine, Play-Doh, and a gourmet homemade lunch? You get a 6th grade McDowell Technical Community College visit, of course! 

GEAR UP, Front page
CAP Through our Eyes: Wes Calbreath

CAP Through our Eyes: Wes Calbreath
Jun 23, 2025

In this series, we feature individual CAP staff members and dive into their unique perspectives on...

Front page, GEAR UP
Academic Innovation Conference 2025

Academic Innovation In Action
Jun 20, 2025

On Tuesday, June 10 and Wednesday, June 11, 180 educators, administrators, and partners convened at the Reich College of Education at Appalachian State University for...

GEAR UP, Front page
GEAR UP Student Spotlight

GEAR UP Alumni Spotlight: Peyton Cline
May 14, 2025

Peyton Cline always knew that she was going to attend college.

GEAR UP, Front page
STEAM Expo at Swain County Middle School

2025 Swain County STEAM Expo
Apr 28, 2025

On Thursday, April 24, the STEAM Expo took place at Swain Middle School for the second year in a row. 

GEAR UP, Front page
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. 

Advise NC, 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

GEAR UP Campus Visits Across North Carolina
Mar 14, 2025

One of the cornerstones of the Appalachian GEAR UP Program is campus visits.

GEAR UP, Front page
CAP Through our Eyes: Matthew Medlin

CAP Through our Eyes: Matthew Medlin
Jan 31, 2025

In this series, we feature individual CAP staff members and dive into their unique perspectives on college access, education, the role of our grant programs in the...

Front page, Upward Bound
Becka Dulaney, adviser Franklin High School

A Thought on Authenticity
Jan 21, 2025

When we are encouraged to be our authentic selves, it is often outlined with unspoken expectations.