Program Model
Advise NC at Appalachian State places well-trained, recent college graduates to serve as full-time Next Step Advisers in high schools throughout western North Carolina. Advisers work to ensure that all seniors are empowered to make informed decisions about their lives after high school. They collaborate with administrators, support staff, and teachers to support students as they develop their Next Step Plans and prepare to complete one of the three Es – Enrollment, Employment, or Enlistment – following graduation.
Building Postsecondary Plans
Advise NC envisions a North Carolina where every student has the guidance and resources necessary to pursue postsecondary opportunities driving social mobility, economic growth, and a more prosperous future for all. Next Step Advisers empower students to create their Next Step Plans, assist them with developing action items, and support them with making progress toward their goals
Next Step Adviser Services
Meet with all seniors one-on-one at least once during the fall semester and once during the spring semester
Engage with all senior families at least once during the school year
Assist all seniors with Next Steps Plan creation
Support seniors with Next Steps Plan progress, including:
College applications
Scholarship Applications
FAFSA Assistance
Military enlistment
Workforce entry
Facilitate 9-12th grade group interactions
Near-Peer Model
Next Step Advisers connect with the students they serve through their own lived experiences. Advisers are recent college graduates and are closer in age, or "near-peer," to the students they serve. Many Next Step Advisers return to their home communities to serve, often within the high schools or districts they attended as students. Because they recently embarked on their own post-high school journeys, they can serve as trusted mentors and provide first-hand knowledge of the postsecondary planning process to their students.
Where we serve
Our work is built on strong partnerships, including those with Appalachian State University, Advise NC, AmeriCorps and VolunteerNC, and the schools and communities where our advisers serve.
School Partners
Alexander County, Alexander Central High School
Alleghany County, Alleghany High School
Ashe County, Ashe County High School and Ashe Early College
Avery County, Avery County High School and Marjorie Williams Academy
Buncombe County, Erwin High School
Burke County, Freedom High School
Catawba County, St. Stephens High School
Cherokee County, Andrews High School and Hiwassee Dam High School
Clay County, Hayesville High School
Cleveland County, TBD
Graham County, Robbinsville High School
Henderson County, North Henderson High School
Jackson County, Smoky Mountain High School and Jackson County Early College
Macon County, Franklin High School
Madison County, Madison High School
McDowell County, McDowell High School
Mitchell County, Mitchell High School
Rutherford County, R-S Central High School
Swain County, Swain County High School
Transylvania County, Brevard High School
Wilkes County, Wilkes Central High School
Watauga County, Watauga High School
Yancey County, Mountain Heritage High School