College Access Partnerships is made up of multiple data-driven grant program initiatives that are evaluated annually to assess progress toward goals, objectives, and performance indicators. Research-based strategies are used to improve outcomes in all the districts we serve.
Publications
Recent Publications from College Access Partnerships
Dr. Rachel Nelson, Holly Weaver, Dr. James Beeler, Dr. Erin West, Sherry Paddie, Heather Childress, Dr. Katherine Chesnutt
This study explores teachers’ perceptions of their experiences participating in self-directed learning (SDL) (Knowles, 1970; 1975). The teacher participants (n=127) were guided through an SDL framework for professional learning and reflected on their experiences. Results indicate teachers reporting increased autonomy and personalization compared with traditional professional learning opportunities.
Corinne Smith, Dr. Ross Gosky, Dr. Jui-Teng Li
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between visits to college campuses by middle school and high school students and postsecondary enrollment rates, where campus visits are classified as both formal college visits and also informal campus visits. Specifically, Traditional Campus Visits and Educational Campus Field Trips are categorized as two distinct service types sponsored by the GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) grant program in 11 rural, western North Carolina school districts.
Tyrel Winebarger
The authors of parts one and two of this opinion piece explore their work with MCs as a form of meeting PD requirements and offer advice to potential adopters on the utility of MCs for community college faculty.
Dr. Rachel Nelson
Our observations have allowed us to see first-hand that North Carolina educators and students are anything but “low-performing.” Having visited over 30 schools across 12 districts, our team witnessed much more than a dedication to provide North Carolina students with a “sound basic education.” The care and concern North Carolina’s educators have for their students was evident in every school we visited.
Rebeca Figueroa & Katie Hill
Created in collaboration with NCCEP’s Family Engagement Advisory Committee, Family Engagement Starter Kit for All provides helpful information to improve your family engagement efforts.
Holly Weaver, Sherry Paddie, Dr. Rachel Nelson, Dr. Rachel Shepherd
This a narrative chapter in a book that features the work of a Navigator and the role of ed research in teacher advocacy.
2025 Presentations
Presentations by College Access Partnerships staff
Evaluating Research in Teacher-Directed Professional Learning with CLASS
Dr. Rachel Shepherd, Dr. Jason Snyder, Tyrel Winebarger
CLASS InterAct 2025
In this presentation, the team discussed the use of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System in measuring the impacts of teacher-directed professional learning on middle-grade student and teacher outcomes.
Empowering Teacher Learning: Innovations for Educational Recovery and Equity through Micro-Credentialing in Rural NC
Heather Childress
North Carolina Association for Research in Education
Micro-credentialing offers a transformative approach to teacher development, especially in rural contexts, by circumventing geographic and financial constraints, increasing teacher agency, improving instructional practice, supporting culturally responsive teaching and differentiation for underserved populations, and advancing educational equity.
The Cost of Teaching: A Feminist Analysis of Teacher Experiences Earning Professional Learning Stipends
Dr. Erin West, Heather Childress, Janet Johnson
American Educational Research Association (AERA) Conference
The study applies a critical feminist lens for data analysis and explores how compensating teachers for their time and effort can enhance motivation and outcomes. Our work throws light on the profession as feminized and underpaid nature, and investigates the "cost of teaching" in terms of salary and professional respect
2024 Presentations
Presentations by College Access Partnerships staff
Creating a Counselor Network in Rural School Districts As A Way To Increase Counselor Leadership
Wes Calbreath, Doug Thompson
NCCEP National Conference
In rural counties low population density can mean only one high school serving a wide area. With only one high school in a district, the possibilities for collaboration are lacking. Additionally, high quality professional development for counselors may be priced out of reach.
Exploring Teachers’ Initial Perceptions of Self-Directed Learning within a Teacher-Directed Professional Learning Program
Erin West, Holly Weaver, Sherry Thomas-Paddie, Heather Childress-Custer
International Society for Self-Directed Learning (ISSDL) Symposium
To better understand teachers’ perceptions of the teacher-directed professional learning framework, the ETL Team surveyed teachers at the end of the goal-creation process. These findings were included in the presentation at the ISSDL Symposium.
Discussion Lab: Role of AI in Education
Doug Thompson
National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP ) National GEAR UP Academy 2024
This session will include a walkthrough of AI functionalities and their impact on education, college access, and professional work. Discuss the benefits and challenges of AI in education, with a focus on STEM fields, and gain insights on using AI to enhance learning and teaching.
Supporting Beginning Teachers in STEM Fields Through Self-Directed Learning (Lightning Talk)
Dr. Erin West and Dr. Rachel Shepherd
2024 Noyce Summit
Campus Visits As Predictors of Postsecondary Enrollment
Corinne Smith, Dr. Jui-Teng Li, Dr. Ross Gosky
National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP ) National GEAR UP Academy 2024
In this class, experienced GEAR UP researchers and evaluators will share research studies conducted in the GEAR UP community.
Micro-Credentials: A Pathway to Enhanced Professional Learning
Dr. Rachel Shepherd, Erin West, Dr. Rachel Nelson, Megan Gregory
NC School Boards Association
Three members of the Empowering Teacher Learning (ETL) team and a teacher participant from Starmount Middle School presented to school board members and district office staff from school districts across NC. They shared the role of micro-credentials in advancing teacher learning, with a focus on the NC Teacher Pathways document, and presented feedback from teacher participants from across WNC that shows the impact of this innovative approach to teacher professional learning.
Welcome to App State, GEAR UP, and Boone
Yolanda Adams
Dia Applachanes and Black Student Preview Day
As a Latina Leader in Watauga County, I'm honored to speak at the annual Dia Appalachians and Black Student Preview Day at Appalachian State University. I will be discussing the beauty of our cultures and heritages and how our roots can bring us boundless opportunities through App State, GEAR UP, and the community at large.
Prior Presentations
Past presentations by College Access Partnerships staff
Empowering Teacher Leaders Through Micro-Credentialing
Dr. Rachel Shepherd, Erin West, Dr. Rachel Nelson, Courtney Howlett
NC Principals and Assistant Principals Association
Three members of the Empowering Teacher Learning (ETL) team and a teacher participant from Mt. Airy High School presented to school administrators and district office staff from school districts across NC. They shared how the use of micro-credentials and self-directed learning empowers teachers to meet their professional growth goals and can enhance their leadership capacity, resulting in improved student performance.
Beyond Service Delivery: Shifting Mindsets from Supportive Services to Systemic Change
Corinne Smith, Kelly Sparks, Cristina Mendez, Anna Moose
National GEAR UP Annual Conference 2023, San Francisco, CA
CAC Summit 2023
College Advising Corps
Geneva Watson
Against the Odds: My Journey to College
Assemble NC
College Advising Corps
Gloria Medina
Tools to Get You Started
National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) National Conference
GEAR UP
Wes Calbreath, Mary Cothren, Jody Freeman
Mitigating the Impact of Trauma on the Postsecondary Process
American Educational Research Association (AERA)
GEAR UP
Doug Thompson, Dr. Jui-Teng Li, Corinne Smith, Dr. James Beeler
Rural Teachers' Job Satisfaction, Teaching Efficacy and Stress Predicted by School Climate and Social-Emotional Learning
NCSCA
GEAR UP
Wes Calbreath
Peer Mediation in Middle Schools
National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) Capacity Building Workshop
GEAR UP
Rebeca Figueroa (Co-presenters: Katie Hill and Cristal Sanchez)
Resource Round-Up: Family Engagement Starter Kit for All
National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) Annual Conference
GEAR UP
Jessica Stockham
Achieving STEM: An In House Model to STEM Implementation
NC adviser professional learning session
College Advising Corps
Shyheim Stafford
Family Engagement
NCARE (North Carolina Association of Research in Education)
Empowering Teacher Learning
Katherine Chesnutt, Rachel Nelson, Tyler Tobin, Kameron Barlow, Janet Johnson
Providing Space: Using Video for Reflective Practice and Coaching
NC-CAC Adviser Webinar
College Advising Corps
Madison Armstrong
‘Promising Practices: Junior Engagement, Decision Day, and More! - Award Letter Review
CAC National Training - Promising Practices: GRACE Tactics
College Advising Corps
Allison Montgomery
Using Excel to Achieve Data-Driven Advising
Discussion Lab: Engaging Whole Families
Yolanda Adams
National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP ) National GEAR UP Academy 2024
When you think about family engagement, who comes to mind? Who are the family members you envision? In this conversation, we’ll explore ways to change our preconceptions about what a family is in our unique communities. As we redefine our vision of families and family engagement, we’ll revisit how we can serve whole families to support student success. Join us to share and learn from one another about how we can engage whole families.
National Forum to Advance Rural Education
GEAR UP, Rural Teacher Leader Network (RTLN) in partnership with the Forum and Leading Edge Learning
Meg Turner with Ashley Kazouh, Theresa Gibson and Nancy Mangum
Empowering Teacher Leaders to Support Rural Schools
Assemble NC
College Advising Corps
Geneva Watson
Advising Students with Lower Academics and Social Readiness
American Educational Research Association (AERA)
GEAR UP
Dr. Jui-Teng Li, Corinne Smith, Dr. James Beeler
The Impact of GEAR UP Program and Services on Rural Students’ Postsecondary Enrollment
American Educational Research Association (AERA)
Empowering Teacher Learning
Katherine Chesnutt, Janet Johnson, Holly Weaver, Tyler Tobin
Exploring the Relationship between Teacher Instruction and Teachers’ Perceptions of Themselves as Self-Directed Learners
Society of Research Administrators International (SRAi)
GEAR UP
Amanda Whittington
The Trifecta of Grants Management: Utilizing Pre-Award, Post-Award, and the Project to Create an Effective and Successful Grant
National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) Annual Conference
GEAR UP
Amanda Whittington
Exploration Lab: Navigating the GEAR UP Match and Q&A with ED
Education Innovation & Research Webinar
Empowering Teacher Learning
Dr. James Beeler, Katherine Chesnutt
Promoting Teacher Autonomy, Practice and Knowledge: Lessons Learned from Teacher-Directed Professional Learning Programs
North Carolina Mathematical Association of Two Year Colleges
Empowering Teacher Learning
Tyrel Winebarger
Measuring Student Engagement in Statistics
AppCAC Adviser Training
Upward Bound
Aaron Gersonde
College Search: Making Informed Decisions
2022 Emerging Issues forum - Educational Attainment
College Access Partnerships
Dr. James Beeler
Strengthening K-12 Supports to Close Attainment Gaps
Empowering Educators through Innovative Professional Development
Erin West, Sherrie Paddie, Janet Johnson, Dr. Jason Snyder
GEAR UP Academic Innovation Conference
School Leadership Ed.D. Curriculum Redesign: A Model for Continual Improvement
Dr. Rachel Shepherd, Dr. Tierra Stark, Dr. Pamela Scott, Dr. Ginger Christian
International Council of Professors of Educational Leadership, San Antonio, TX
NCSCA State Conference
GEAR UP
Wes Calbreath
Making MTSS Work for Secondary School Counselors
Academic Innovation Conference
Empowering Teacher Learning
Katherine Chesnutt, Janet Johnson, Holly Weaver, Tyler Tobin
Empowering Teacher Learning Project
National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) National Conference
GEAR UP
Doug Thompson, Rachel Nave-Lewis
Designing Family Engagement
American Educational Research Association (AERA)
Empowering Teacher Learning
Katherine Chesnutt, Janet Johnson, Holly Weaver, Tyler Tobin
Teachers’ Perceptions of Self-Efficacy and Teachers’ Perceptions of Themselves as Self-Directed Learners: An Exploratory Study
National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) Capacity Building Workshop
GEAR UP
Doug Thompson
STEM Toolbox
Appalachian State University Math Department Colloquium Series
Empowering Teacher Learning
Tyrel Winebarger
Empowering Teacher Learning
American Educational Research Association (AERA)
GEAR UP
Corinne Smith, Dr. Jui-Teng Li, Dr. James Beeler
The Impact of Appalachian GEAR UP ACT Learning Services on Students’ ACT Performance
North Carolina Association of Middle Level Educators (NCMLE)
Empowering Teacher Learning
Rachel Nelson, Katherine Chesnutt, Tyler Tobin, Kameron Barlow, Janet Johnson
Empowering Teacher Learning
College Advising Corps National Training
College Advising Corps
Phoebe Thompson
Promising Practices: GRACE Tactics
National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) Capacity Building Workshop
GEAR UP
Corinne Smith
Enhancing "E"valuation: Moving from Emerging to Established to Evolved
College Advising Corps Virtual Assembly 2022
College Advising Corps
Phoebe Thompson
The Price is Right: Reviewing Financial Aid Award Letters with Students & Families
Interactive McDowell Technical Community College Visit Welcomes GEAR UP Students to Campus
Jun 26, 2025
What do you get when you cross a slushie machine, Play-Doh, and a gourmet homemade lunch? You get a 6th grade McDowell Technical Community College vis...
CAP Through our Eyes: Wes Calbreath
Jun 23, 2025
In this series, we feature individual CAP staff members and dive into their unique perspectives on college access, education, the role of our grant pr...
Academic Innovation In Action
Jun 20, 2025
On Tuesday, June 10 and Wednesday, June 11, 180 educators, administrators, and partners convened at the Reich College of Education at Appalachian Stat...