Next Step Adviser Builds Community Through Service
Feb 2, 2026
As the Avery County Next Step Adviser, Fitz Fitzgerald is responsible for helping students make a plan for life after high school.
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Appalachian GEAR UP Director Elected to NCCEP Board of Directors
Jan 9, 2026
Corinne Smith, director of Appalachian GEAR UP and deputy director of the Office of Rural Promise (ORP), has been elected to serve a three-year term on the...
Front page, GEAR UP
New L.E.A.D Cohort Kicks Off at Appalachian State
Dec 19, 2025
On Saturday, December 6, Appalachian GEAR UP hosted the first L.E.A.D. Gather-Connect for the second cohort of the program.
GEAR UP, Front page
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
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.
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Mental Health and College Access
Nov 11, 2022
During my undergraduate degree, I studied psychology.
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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
Oct 26, 2022
The Educational Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP) is a national program coordinated by the
GEAR UP
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).
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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
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 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
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.
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