Our newest GEAR UP Coordinator in Swain County is bringing a whole new level of experience to the job. As a former GEAR UP student in Madison County, Taylor tells us what it’s like to transition from the role of GEAR UP student to GEAR UP Coordinator...
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I'm from Mars Hill, North Carolina, and I consider myself a true product of TRiO programs because I was in GEAR UP in middle school, Upward Bound in high school, and the McNair Scholars Program in college. I got my Bachelor's degree from UNC-Chapel Hill studying English with minors in Creative Writing and History. I worked as a Resident Assistant in college, and I was inspired to pursue a Master's degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Ohio State University as a result. After that, I returned to WNC where I worked in housing at Western Carolina University before transitioning to GEAR UP. Now I live in Syla with my partner, Ryan, and our two cats. I love reading, writing, baking, and binge-watching shows. I also love to get outdoors in good weather or play Dungeons and Dragons with my college friends.
What do you remember most about being a GEAR UP student?
I remember doing activities with GEAR UP in 7th and 8th grade in Madison County. In 7th grade, a representative came to my science class and helped the students take a personality inventory that might have helped us narrow down a career interest. Looking back, it's crazy to think we did that whole inventory with hardcopy booklets and pencils instead of the internet. I believe we also took Myers Briggs as part of that exercize. I remember being a bit indifferent about the outcome because "author" wasn't one of the suggested careers based on my results.
What I remember most poignantly about my time in GEAR UP was that they took me on my first college visit. We went on a tour of Elon and UNC-Chapel Hill. There were other schools, but I don't remember which ones because Elon and UNC were my favorite, and the college visit trips I took have all started to blend together over the years. I still vividly remember my first view of UNC's campus from the bus window. It's strange to think that I actually liked Elon better than UNC at the time. I remember UNC so vividly, but I can't remember anything from the Elon visit. Well, except for seeing the men's lacrosse team...maybe it's not so strange after all!
How did GEAR UP impact you then, as a student?
GEAR UP jump-started my college planning. My family and I thought it seemed a little crazy to start thinking about college so early, but I was poised to be the first in my family to go, so we were prepared to take advantage of every opportunity and resource available to help make it happen. Prior to that college visit, I thought very little about college beyond what I saw on TV, but by the time I started high school, I had direction and a goal. I knew I wanted to go to college so I kept my grades up, sought out advanced classes, dual enrollment, and anything else I thought would help. GEAR UP also introduced me to the concept of access programs. Because GEAR UP had such an impact, I worked doubly hard to get accepted into Upward Bound in the 10th grade, and they helped me tremendously throughout high school.
What is it like to have experienced the role of GEAR UP student and now as GEAR UP coordinator?
It really feels like things have come full circle. Even in high school, I understood the significance of what GEAR UP and Upward Bound had done for me and felt truly fortunate, but also a little sad...It was hard for me to watch friends and peers struggle where I had succeeded simply because they didn't have access to the same resources and support. As a result, I always felt driven to re-invest the time and resources I had been given back into the community. I started speaking at my high school, answering questions about college and offering advice, and I worked with Upward Bound for two summers as a mentor to the participants. When I went to grad school I prioritized coursework on access and retention and even interned with a Columbus access program called I Know I Can. When I graduated, it was important for me to return to my Appalachian roots where I felt I'd be the most helpful to students from under-resourced communities. I really enjoyed working at WCU, but there truly is a plethora of support resources available on college campuses, and deep down, I knew that if a student didn't choose my support, they could go down the buffet line to find something that suited them. I wanted to be somewhere where students don't have the luxury of a buffet of options, where my work might meaningfully alter students' educational experience and chances for postsecondary success. I wanted to do for students' what someone else had done for me. I honestly wasn't sure how much opportunity I'd find to work in college access in this region, but here I am, in a position to take students on their first ever college visit, and who knows... maybe they'll still remember the moment they saw the future campus years down the road.
What is something you look forward to the most in your new role?
I look forward to planning school/site visits with other cultural/educational experiences that students in my community might not otherwise have had the opportunity to do. The anticipation is all the more increased by COVID and the fact that I have to wait until it's safe!
What else would you like to share about your unique experiences?
It truly is a privilege to be doing this work, and I'm excited for what's in store.
Taylor Dodge, Swain County GEAR UP Coordinator, pictured during her time as a GEAR UP student
Taylor Dodge, Swain County GEAR UP Coordinator
Taylor Dodge
