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
Becka Dulaney, Adviser at Franklin High School

Adviser Prospective: The Trailer Park Kid
Nov 17, 2023

I grew up as a “trailer park kid”. With that statement, many images come to mind.

Advise NC, Front page
Heritage Middle School students pose for a photo with some of the bags collected. Chrissy Murphy, Morganton News Herald
Milena Buchanan

What’s Next? Confronting the Fear of Failure and the Unknown
Nov 3, 2023

When I was in high school, college wasn’t even on my radar.

Advise NC, Front page
ETL Loves Teachers

ETL Reflections
Oct 22, 2023

Rachel Nelson, Empowering Teacher Learning Assistant Director for Teacher Outreach, reflects on the progress and growth of the program over the past few years. ...

Empowering Teacher Learning, Front page
Lorena Calvillo

For The Women Who Hold Me Up
Oct 12, 2023

“We mothers stand still so our daughters can look back to see how far they’ve come.” - quote from Barbie (film), 2023

Advise NC, Front page
UB Scholars dye discs for disc golf.

Upward Bound Disc Golf Exploration
Oct 10, 2023

“My hope was that this would be an experience that they bring back home with them to encourage them to get outside and be active while playing a new activity.” Than

Upward Bound, Front page
Appalachian GEAR UP staff members celebrate successes during National GEAR UP Week.

Celebrating GEAR UP During National GEAR UP Week
Sep 28, 2023

Each year, GEAR UP programs across the country celebrate National GEAR...

GEAR UP, Front page
Abby Carpenter Interns with BRWIA

Summer Internship Enriches YES Scholar
Sep 15, 2023

Abigail Carpenter was identified as a YES Scholar in the Spring of her 6th grade year at Blue Ridge...

Young Eisner Scholars, Front page
McKenzie Geneva Watson and her father

I Know You are Proud of Me
Sep 11, 2023

“McKenzie Geneva Watson, Bachelors of Social Work, Magna Cum Laude.”

Advise NC, Front page