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
Yannia Nordelo

Upward Bound Celebrates 50 Years! Part Five
Oct 21, 2022

In this series, we will spotlight Upward Bound students, staff, and partners as we celebrate 50 years of the program at Appalachian State University.

Upward Bound
GEAR UP students learn about the patient care simulators at TCCC.

Healthcare Showcase at Tri-County Community College
Oct 19, 2022

Tri-County Community College recently welcomed GEAR UP students from Robbinsville High School and Hayesville Middle School to le

GEAR UP
Wilkes County GEAR UP staff members pose with Cool Speak motivational speaker, Joaquin Zihuatanejo. (L-R:  Kathryn Wright, Jody Freeman, Joaquin Zihuatanejo, April Marr, Kyla Kerr, and Brie Jarvis.)

Wilkes County GEAR UP Program Hosts Award-Winning Speaker
Sep 23, 2022

Today’s post was written by the Wilkes County GEAR UP team of coordinators: Kathryn Wright, Jody Freeman, Brie Jarvis, and Kyla Kerr.

GEAR UP
Brenda Valdez

A Full Circle Moment
Sep 23, 2022

I grew up a Latina in a predominantly white community. Like many other people of color, I faced daily struggles due to the identities I held.

College Advising Corps
College Access Partnerships

Additional Funds Awarded to College Access Partnerships Grant Programs
Sep 14, 2022

Upward Bound and College Advising Corps recently received additional grant funding extending the duration of the programs.

College Advising Corps, Upward Bound
Alex Rangel

How Advising Guided Me
Sep 9, 2022

I attended the orientation for my master’s program last week.

College Advising Corps
Dr. Tracy Smith leads an activity focused on community resilience at Cane River MS with GEAR UP students

Mapping for Resiliency
Aug 5, 2022

Last fall, Appalachian GEAR UP identified ten faculty members from colleges across the region to participate in the inaugural cohort of the Teaching For Community

GEAR UP
Alisa Cruz-Mendez

Upward Bound Student Featured in Local Art Installation
Jun 13, 2022

Alisa Cruz-Mendez, an intern of TOSS, is a STEAM advocate based in Morganton, NC.

Upward Bound
College Advising Corps advisers and students in Western North Carolina.

How College Advising Corps is filling the college counselor gap and helping students prepare for life after high school
Jun 13, 2022

Lyric Larson graduated from Caldwell Early College High School last month and is headed to Western Carolina University this fall with the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation...

College Advising Corps
CAP Student, Riley Hollars

A conversation with CAP Student, Riley Hollars
May 31, 2022

Riley Hollars, a Watauga High School rising junior shares with us some recent, valuable accomplishments and opportunities helped made possible by College Access Partnerships...

Upward Bound, Young Eisner Scholars