The Public School Forum has announced the newest cohort for the 2025-2026 Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP). Five faculty and staff members from Appalachian State University including two Office of Rural Promise (ORP) staff members are among the participants, and 16 educators from GEAR UP partners across Western NC will also serve as fellows.
EPFP, hosted by the Public School Forum, is designed to help participants learn more about education policy in North Carolina and at the national level. Over the course of the next year, fellows will hone their leadership skills, meet with state and federal policymakers, and identify educational topics for a culminating policy project. Through virtual and in-person meetings, the participants will gain knowledge and insight into how they can impact change in education and in the work they do.
Representing Appalachian State University:
Dr. Dramaine Freeman, Assistant Professor in the Department of Leadership and Educational Studies at RCOE
Katie Hubbard, Next Step Adviser with Advise NC
Allyson Murphy, Assistant Director of TRIO Student Support Services
Dr. Kate Watson, GEAR UP Assistant Director for Research & Evaluation
Dr. Rachel Askew, Assistant Professor of Middle Grades Education at RCOE
Representing GEAR UP partners:
Mrs. Lisa Daye, Beginning Teacher & Assistant Principal Support Coordinator at Burke County Public Schools
Dr. Kristin Edwards, Director of Digital Teaching & Learning and Chief Information Officer at Burke County Public Schools
Ginger Stinson, District-Level Coordinator for MTSS, GEAR UP, and Career and College Promise at Burke County Public Schools
Holly Ellwanger, GEAR UP Coordinator in Catawba County
Joanna Trudnak, Teacher in Catawba County
Dr. Jaime Hooper, Federal Programs Director at Graham County Schools
Warren Knott, Teacher in Graham County
Stuart Nelms, Principal Robbinsville Middle School at Graham County Schools
Michael Vetter, Human Resources Director for Jackson County Public Schools
Stacy Raby, GEAR UP Coordinator in Macon County
Lydia Sale Lunday, Teacher in Swain County
Carrie Norris, Chief Academic Officer at Transylvania County Schools
Daniel Machon, Assistant Principal Watauga High School at Watauga County Schools
Blakely Lord, Teacher in Watauga County
Takiyah McCathern, Assistant Principal Wilkes Central High School at Wilkes County Schools
Tina Easter-Propst, GEAR UP Coordinator at Catawba Valley Community College
Learn more about each of the participants here. Appalachian GEAR UP provides funding to cover the cost of participation for representatives from GEAR UP districts.
Fellows from App State include (left to right) Dr. Dramaine Freeman, Katie Hubbard, Allyson Murphy, Dr. Kate Watson, and Dr. Rachel Askew
Fellows from App State include (left to right) Dr. Dramaine Freeman, Katie Hubbard, Allyson Murphy, Dr. Kate Watson, and Dr. Rachel Askew