GEAR UP

Katie Matheson

Former GEAR UP Student Returns as Chaperone
Jul 11, 2025

Katie Matheson, a 2020 graduate of Ashe County High School, remembers vividly the first time she joined a GEAR UP college bus tour as a student.

GEAR UP, 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
2021 NC First in FAFSA Challenge Winners

2021 NC First in FAFSA Challenge
Jan 21, 2022

We are excited to announce that two schools served by College Access Partnerships programs were winners of the ... Advise NC, GEAR UP

Educational Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP)

EPFP Announces 2021-2022 Cohort
Oct 25, 2021

The Educational Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP) is a national program coordinated by the&nb

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Solar car built during a recent GEAR UP Family Design Night

Creating Opportunities through GEAR UP Family Design Nights
Oct 4, 2021

Today’s post was written by GEAR UP Academic Innovation Specialist Jessica Stockham.

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Best-selling author and North Carolina native, Robert Beatty presents to students from Swain, Clay, and Graham in the Smoky Mountain National Park.

Students Meet with Local Author
Aug 11, 2021

Swain County GEAR UP Coordinator, Taylor Dodge, takes over the blog today to tell us all about how she helped to inspire students during summer... GEAR UP

lemonade stand

5 things High School Students can do this Summer to Sharpen Entrepreneurial Skills
May 27, 2021

Do you fancy yourself an entrepreneurial thinker?

GEAR UP
Oshen Wallin, Madison County Science and RootEd Teacher

RootEd Teachers Spotlighted in Edutopia
Apr 19, 2021

RootEd participants and teachers at Madison High School have embraced the challenge-based learning model to help educate their community... GEAR UP

GEAR UP student welcome bag contents distributed to each new 6th and 7th grade student

New GEAR UP Grant Off and Running
Apr 15, 2021

Earlier this year, GEAR UP began implementing a new grant awarded to Appalachian State University allowing us to serve 14,000 students f

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Taylor Dodge

Interview with the new Swain County Coordinator: Taylor Dodge
Feb 18, 2021

Our newest GEAR UP Coordinator in Swain County is bringing a whole new level of experience to the job.

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GEAR UP Model Junior Year slideshow

An Innovative Approach to Preparing Juniors for Postsecondary Success
Feb 9, 2021

Watauga County GEAR UP Coordinator Laura Turner contributes to our blog today and shares her experience of transitioning an integral GEAR UP... GEAR UP