GEAR UP

GEAR UP logoGEAR 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

Science of the Storm Event

Making Meaning in the Wake of Helene

In September 2024, western North Carolina experienced what has been described as a once-in-a-100 (to some once-in-1000) year storm. Hurricane Helene h...

GEAR UP Campus Visits Across North Carolina

One of the cornerstones of the Appalachian GEAR UP Program is campus visits. Research has shown that when students take trips to college campuses, esp...

EPFP Cohort 2024-2025

Education Policy Fellowship Program 2024-2025 Cohort

Six faculty and staff in the Reich College of Education (RCOE) including two CAP staff members, and five educators from GEAR UP districts will be part...