RURAL REACH

N ORTH

CAROLIN A -Rural Reach-

by Venita Jenkins

Beaufort | Columbus | Craven | Cumberland | Jones | Pasquotank

Too often, first-generation and low-income students think attending a four-year institution is out of reach. To change this misconception and increase educational opportunities for underrepresented students, UNCW is partnering with College Advising Corps by placing college advisers in rural high schools in North Carolina.

In 2020, CAC deployed more than 820 advisers from 31 partner universities in 782 high schools in 17 states. The advisers served 240,000 students.

Recent UNCW alumni will help high school students navigate the often-confusing process of college admission, financial aid and matriculation. By engaging recent college graduates as advisers, students will have a current perspective of the college experience. Advisers will be placed in Beaufort, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Jones and Pasquotank counties beginning with the 2021-22 academic year. “As a former college adviser, I’ve witnessed students who didn’t think they could go to college become college graduates,” said Veronica Tapia, UNCW College Advising Corps’ program director. “By working to extend educational opportunity to historically excluded students, post-secondary institutions can benefit from a diverse student population that more accurately represents the national demographic.” Before starting in schools, advisers will attend an in-depth summer training to review topics such as the college admissions process, financial aid, one-on-one advising and multicultural competency. College Advising Corps is a national nonprofit that partners with colleges and state and local governments to increase post-secondary enrollment for low-income, first-generation and underrepresented students.

Because College Advising Corps is an AmeriCorps partner, college advisers receive AmeriCorps benefits such as a yearly education award in addition to their paid salaries that can be used for continuing education and loan forgiveness. AmeriCorps, a federal agency, brings people together to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges through national service and volunteering. Nationally, the counselor-to-student ratio in high schools is 482:1, said Tapia. “This means many high school students never have the opportunity to meet with someone to discuss their college options, much less walk them through the college application and financial aid process,” she continued. “This need is magnified for first-generation college students who may not have the resources or guidance at home to help them explore their college options. That’s where the help of a college adviser comes in.” Advisers work to educate students and families on their college options. They distribute college application fee waivers and assist with financial aid and scholarship applications. They leverage community partnerships to include families in the conversation and determine the best fit for the student.

“Advisers become engrained in their communities and work hard to gain the trust of their school community,” said Tapia. “In this way, the advising model is strengthened and the rapport between adviser and advisee grows. While students may encounter challenges in their pursuit for college, the College Adviser will be there every step of the way.”

UNCW joins Appalachian State University, Davidson College, Duke University, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as higher education partners with CAC.