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. The program focuses on improving college-going mindsets, high school graduation rates, and postsecondary enrollment through a wide range of research-based services for students, families, and teachers.
As we prepare to celebrate National GEAR UP Week (September 22–26), we’re reflecting on some of the incredible opportunities Yancey County students have received through our partnership with Appalachian GEAR UP over the past eight months.
In that time, 114 eighth graders visited Appalachian State University, and 168 high school students toured several colleges, including Lees-McRae, Appalachian State, Montreat, and AB Tech. These visits allowed students to experience college life firsthand and interact with faculty and staff.
We also welcomed representatives from Mayland Community College’s Admissions and Small Business Center (SBC), who worked with 80 students involved in FBLA, FFA, and entrepreneurship classes. Additionally, professors from UNC Asheville engaged with our 8th graders across various science fields of study.
One of the summer’s highlights was our annual summer bus tour, during which 14 rising sophomores visited eight colleges over four days: UNCG, Elon, NC State, UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University, ECU, UNCW, and Cape Fear Community College. Students stayed in dorms, ate in campus cafeterias, and gained an immersive college experience.
Academic support remains a top priority for GEAR UP. Over the past eight months, we provided more than 185 hours of in-school tutoring and over 115 hours of after-school tutoring. We also supported high school students through credit recovery programs and free online tutoring via Tutor.com and Mastery Prep. Additionally, STEM and digital review resources were incorporated into classroom instruction to further enhance academic achievement.
Career readiness was another major focus. 132 eighth graders attended our annual Career Fair at the Town Center, which featured 16 local businesses and industry professionals, as well as 16 departments from Mayland Community College. These career exploration opportunities helped students connect classroom learning to real-world career paths.
In partnership with local 8th grade CTE departments, GEAR UP also supported the “Reality of Money” experience presented by the State Employees’ Credit Union—an engaging financial literacy simulation that gives students a better understanding of budgeting and real-life expenses.
FBLA and FFA students benefited from GEAR UP support to attend state and national conferences, where they participated in career expos, networking events, and workshops focused on college and career preparation.
The summer concluded with an exciting milestone for one of our LEAD Scholars, Sara Gomez. Sara was part of a leadership cohort at Appalachian State University that empowers students to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond. Recognized as the Top Leadership Student for her commitment to service and leadership development, Sara represented our region at the National GEAR UP Conference in San Francisco, joining over 150 student leaders from across the country. She has advocated for new opportunities at Mountain Heritage High School for her senior class and organized a record-breaking blood drive with the highest number of donations in school history.
The next steps for GEAR UP will involve working closely with this year’s senior class to help them develop their post-graduation plans. Whether students are considering college, entering the workforce, or joining the military, GEAR UP will provide valuable support. We will continue to assist high school counselors and offer opportunities to engage with families as they plan for the financial costs that lie ahead.
All of these efforts represent the core mission of GEAR UP—to build a college-going culture and provide transformational experiences that support academic and personal growth for our students.
