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Featured Photo: App State was awarded a $35 million grant to expand its GEAR UP college access program, which includes effort by Blue Ridge Community College and Transylvania County Schools. Photo courtesy of App State.
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BREVARD, N.C. – Blue Ridge Community College and Transylvania County Schools (TCS) have a long-standing partnership to prepare students for higher education and successful careers – a partnership further strengthened by a new grant through Appalachian State University’s GEAR UP program.
Announced this fall, the U.S. Department of Education has awarded a seven-year, $35 million GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) grant to Appalachian State University’s College Access Partnerships program. As project partners, Blue Ridge and TCS will receive a portion of the grant to accelerate work with students through campus visits, summer camps, faculty support, dual enrollment and financial literacy assistance.
The collaboration will involve sixth- and seventh-graders during the 2024-2025 academic year, following them through their high school graduation and first year of college in the vicinity of 2030-2031.
“Transylvania County Schools is excited to offer more opportunities to our middle and high school students through this long-term grant,” said Dr. Lisa Fletcher, superintendent of Transylvania County Schools. “With the continued collaboration of Blue Ridge Community College, our students will be better informed and prepared for post-secondary opportunities.”
Through the seven-year collaboration, Blue Ridge and TCS will seek to advance the following GEAR UP goals:
• Increase academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education.
• Increase rate of High School graduation and participation in postsecondary education.
• Increase education expectations and increase student and family knowledge of postsecondary education options, preparation, and financial literacy and awareness.
“We look forward to adding the GEAR UP program to our already strong partnership with Transylvania County Schools,” said Glenda McCarson, associate vice president of Blue Ridge’s Transylvania County Campus. “By working together we provide a seamless education pathway for the students in Transylvania County.”
According to Appalachian State University’s press release on September 3, 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. Through a wide range of research-based services to students, families and teachers, the GEAR UP NC Appalachian Partnership aims to improve college-going mindsets, high school graduation rates and postsecondary enrollment rates.”
The GEAR UP program offers a wide array of services to support low-income and high-need students, along with their families and schools, across Western North Carolina. Beginning in sixth grade, students and their families are provided with early awareness and academic services tailored to their unique needs. The program supports these students through their high school graduation and into their first year of college.