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Division of Academic and Student Affairs 
College Advising Corps

Mission and History

Mission

The NC State College Advising Corps aims to increase the number of low-income, underrepresented, and first-generation college students from rural North Carolina who apply, enter, and complete college. We do this by training recent college graduates, and placing them as full-time college advisers in selected low-income, rural public high schools across North Carolina. Advisers assist students in searching and applying for colleges, preparing for college entrance exams, navigating the financial aid process, and enrolling in colleges of best fit.

History

In 2014, the College Advising Corps launched a partnership with the John M. Belk Endowment to expand to partner institutions in North Carolina. With over 685,000 rural students, North Carolina has one of the highest concentrations of rural students in the nation. The partnership with the Belk Endowment allowed the Advising Corps to partner with four of North Carolina’s top higher education institutions to expand the impact the Advising Corps in addressing the college access needs of high school students in rural North Carolina.

In its inaugural year, nine recent NC State graduates were placed into 9 rural high schools across North Carolina to assist students in navigating the path to college. The following year, the NC State CAC expanded to an additional 12 high schools. The 2019-2020 cohort includes 21 advisers serving in 21 high schools across 11 counties.

Core Values

Equity. We believe that all of our students are “college material” and recognize that the term college encompasses a wide range of different and valuable postsecondary pathways.  Our role is to help students find and gain access to a postsecondary pathway that is the best fit for their academic, career, and personal goals. 

Grace & Humility. We are committed to student-centered service. The needs of our students and their families drives our work to ensure students can pursue their postsecondary goals. 

Partnership. We serve in partnership with our service communities and schools to build a college-going culture among students. Sustainable change is only possible through partnership with our stakeholders and communities. 

Excellence. College Advising Corps uses data-informed practices and ongoing professional development to ensure high-quality service for our communities.