GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federally funded college access program designed to increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education immediately after high school.
We aim to improve college-going mindsets, high school graduation rates, and postsecondary enrollment rates through a wide range of research-grounded services to students, families, and teachers.
GEAR UP Educator Support
GEAR UP supports teachers, providing educators in western NC access to support and resources, through grants, programming and professional development opportunities. Learn more about the opportunities and services of GEAR UP Educator Support.
Objectives
Our work focuses on five main areas of postsecondary planning and preparation:
- strengthening academic preparation for postsecondary success
- providing intentional and comprehensive advising throughout students' secondary and postsecondary careers
- developing curricular and extra-curricular experiences that inform and prepare students to take their next step
- improving students' families' ability to support their students through postsecondary planning and preparation
- continually working within our own institutions to remove barriers to college access, persistence, degree attainment, and transfer
Partners
Appalachian GEAR UP strives to promote and improve access to higher education in 17 partnering districts around western North Carolina and leverages strategic partnerships to increase postsecondary enrollment. Appalachian GEAR UP provides college-going programming to students and families, academic support in schools, professional development for teachers and administrators, and more in order to improve college access in rural western North Carolina.
Latest News
Education Policy Fellowship Program 2025-2026 Cohort
Sep 24, 2025
The Public School Forum has announced the newest cohort for the 2025-2026 Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP). Five faculty and staff members f...
Isothermal GEAR UP Hosts Middle School Leadership Camp
Sep 5, 2025
On July 23rd, Isothermal Community College hosted a one-day leadership camp for rising 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in Polk County. This GEAR UP c...
App State’s Corinne Smith honored as 2025 national GEAR UP Professional Leader of the Year
Jul 21, 2025
BOONE, N.C. — Corinne Smith, director of Appalachian State University’s GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate...