News

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 college access, educatio

Front page, GEAR UP
Isabella Mowery, adviser McDowell High School

Strength Through Struggle
Jan 7, 2025

Have you ever gotten something you really wanted and then once you have it you don’t know if you want it anymore?

Advise NC, Front page
CAP Through our Eyes: Sherry Paddie

CAP Through our Eyes: Sherry Paddie
Dec 16, 2024

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 community,...

Empowering Teacher Learning, Front page
EPFP Cohort 2024-2025

Education Policy Fellowship Program 2024-2025 Cohort
Dec 12, 2024

Six faculty and staff in the Reich College of Education (RCOE) including two CAP staff members, and five educators from GEAR UP districts will be participating in the...

GEAR UP, Front page

Inaugural GEAR UP L.E.A.D Student Coalition Program Cohort Announced
Dec 9, 2024

The GEAR UP L.E.A.D Coalition Program launches its inaugural cohort this month, and 25 student leaders from across western North Carolina have been identified after a...

Front page, GEAR UP
Holly Weaver standing in front of the main building on the campus of Athens College

From Rural Appalachia to Athens, Greece: How Empowering Teacher Learning Project Resonates with Teachers Across the World
Nov 25, 2024

When Appalachian State’s College Access Partnerships was presented with the opportunity to replicate Empowering Teacher Learning (ETL), a professional learning research p

Front page, Empowering Teacher Learning

CAP Executive Director Jim Beeler to serve on Rebuilding Western NC Advisory Board
Nov 20, 2024

Read about how CAP Executive Director, Jim Beeler, will serve on the Rebuilding Western NC Advisory Board.

Front page
ETL Team Publishes Its First Micro-Credential

ETL Team Publishes Its First Micro-Credential
Nov 5, 2024

As part of their research, the ETL team supports teacher professional development using micro-credentials (competency-based professional learning that helps teachers gain the...

Empowering Teacher Learning, Front page
Hurricane Relief

Hurricane Relief & Support
Oct 29, 2024

In light of the devastation and destruction that Hurricane Helene left in its path across Western North Carolina, there has been an overwhelming outpouring of support...

GEAR UP, Front page
Lorena Calvillo Ashe County High School Adviser

Homecoming
Sep 16, 2024

It’s strange returning to a place you vowed you would never return to…yet that is what I was doing when I started as a College Adviser at my old high school, Ashe

Advise NC, Front page