The purpose of the North Carolina Appalachian Collaborative for Higher Education (NCACHE) is to extend the services established by the Appalachian Higher Education Network on the Appalachian State University campus. Specifically, this project identifies, assesses, and disseminates practices that improve college access and student success throughout the Appalachian region. NCACHE is housed at Appalachian State University in partnership with University of North Carolina-Asheville and Western Carolina University and serves the entire Appalachian region of North Carolina. High school administrators, guidance counselors, and teachers are encouraged to apply for mini-grants designed to achieve one or more of the listed outcomes.

NCACHE Partners

• University of North Carolina-Asheville - Supervise the development of two(2) high school college access projects in their ARC catchment area and provide supplimental college access programming
• Western Carolina University - Supervise the development of two(2) high school college access projects in their ARC catchment area and provide supplimental college access programming
• The University of North Carolina General Administration
• TRIO programs of western North Carolina
• High schools/counties that receive mini-grants [list of schools]

Objectives

• Increase college awareness and postsecondary enrollment in target counties
• Identify and replicate programming that assists North Carolina in meeting strategic educational priorities
• Develop and sustain a higher education network that will serve all of western North Carolina

A Replication Program

NCACHE is funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission and is a replication of two successful college access networks in the Appalachian region: southern Ohio (OACHE) and West Virginia (WVACHE). The OACHE was formed as a result of a significant study called the Appalachian Access and Success Project. Since the publication of the study and the establishment of OACHE, high schools in southern Ohio that have created a College Access and Career Exploration Program have experienced significant increases in the college-going rate for high school graduates.