News

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
GEAR UP & Participate Learning Join Partnership to Focus on Western NC Schools

GEAR UP & Participate Learning Join Partnership to Focus on Western NC Schools
Jan 17, 2023

A new partnership between GEAR UP and Participate Learning seeks to join forces with 10 western North Carolina school districts to help promote college and career readiness...

GEAR UP
Baylee Smith, Ashe Adviser

Behind the Scenes of First Generation
Jan 9, 2023

Growing up, I knew nothing about college. My mom and dad had me soon after they graduated high school. My dad attended trade school and still is a truck driver.

College Advising Corps, Front page
Rachel Nelson

Perspective | North Carolina schools are anything but ‘low-performing’
Dec 16, 2022

Over the past three months, our team from the Empowering Teacher Learning (ETL) project at Appalachian State University has been traversing western North Carolina and engaging...

Empowering Teacher Learning, Front page
GEAR UP Hosts Out of This World Family Design Night

GEAR UP Hosts Out of This World Family Design Night
Dec 12, 2022

The GEAR UP Academic Innovation Team led by Doug Thompso

GEAR UP
Swain County GEAR UP Students Tour App State

Swain County GEAR UP Fall College Tour
Nov 23, 2022

Earlier this month, 24 high school seniors from Swain County High School embarked on a statewide college tour led by ...

GEAR UP
Ashley Bingman, Adviser Mitchell HS

Creating Your Own Path
Nov 18, 2022

Coming from a family history of virtually no one having pursued postsecondary education, I felt a desire to get a headstart on my college career.

College Advising Corps
Peyton Johnson

Mental Health and College Access
Nov 11, 2022

During my undergraduate degree, I studied psychology.

College Advising Corps
October Family Design Night

October Family Design Night
Nov 4, 2022

Nearly 100 families from Ashe, Burke, Swain, Wilkes, and Yancey County participated in a recent GEAR UP Family Design Night. 

GEAR UP
EPFP GEAR UP Cohort 2022-23

EPFP GEAR UP Cohort 2022-23
Oct 26, 2022

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

GEAR UP
Ashe College & Career Day

Ashe College & Career Day
Oct 25, 2022

Multiple college access professionals in the High Country worked together this month to create and produce a successful event at Ashe County High School (ACHS). 

College Advising Corps, GEAR UP