Since its inception in 2014, the NC State College Advising Corps (CAC) has assisted hundreds of low-income, first-generation college, and underrepresented students from rural North Carolina navigate the process of finding colleges that are the best academic, financial and personal fit for them.

A partner university of the national College Advising Corps, NC State CAC launched as the result of a generous gift from the John M. Belk Endowment, which aimed to expand the College Advising Corps in North Carolina. The inaugural cohort of advisers consisted of nine recent NC State graduates serving in nine rural high schools across North Carolina. Now in its seventh year, the NC State CAC has 20 advisers serving in 21 high schools across 11 counties.

NC State CAC’s college advisers are recent college graduates who undergo an intensive four-week training program each summer and on-going training throughout the year to prepare them for advising high school students on the college processes and life after high school. Advisers are placed in under-resourced rural high schools across North Carolina, where they serve as full-time college advisers to assist students who may not have seen college as a possibility.

These advisers are often the key resource for students to persist in their education beyond high school and become mentors within the school setting. Advisers meet with students, collaborate with high school teachers and staff, and plan events throughout the year to create and promote a college-going culture within the community. College advisers also serve as role models for service and express and demonstrate the importance of an educated workforce. Their commitment to their schools helps many students realize and finalize postsecondary education plans.

Below you will meet some of the current college advisers, all of whom are recent NC State graduates:

Kevin Hogan

First-year adviser at Heide Trask High School in Rocky Point, N.C.

“I graduated from NC State University with a B.A. in psychology. During my time at NC State, I was a proud member of the marching and basketball pep bands, an RA, an orientation leader, a Chancellor’s Aide, amid a few other opportunities. My involvement as a student helped me find my passion for working with students, especially in college access. I LOVE my job because every day I get to work directly with students and help them plan for their future!”

Jared Mathewson

Second-year advisor serving at Louisburg High School in Franklin County, N.C.

“I graduated from NC State in 2019, where I spent a good bit of my time out of class working for NC Sate Student Centers. This was where I learned how much I enjoy helping people navigate the college setting and taking leadership initiative to better serve those I am helping. It was while working for NC State Student Centers that I worked under another previous CAC member who had served in PA and ultimately encouraged me to apply to the program at NC State. I encourage my students to find someone to work under that can better them and help them seek new opportunities!”

Arianna Johnson (AJ)

Second-year advisor at Pender High School in Pender County, N.C.

“I graduated from NC State University with a B.S. in parks, recreation, & tourism management with a concentration in program management. While in Raleigh, I worked at the Raleigh Boys Club for three years. During that time, my passion for working with youth was enhanced, and I understood the need for serving low-income, underrepresented youth. That is why I love my job as a college adviser because I KNOW that I am making an impact on the students I serve in some way. I plan to continue to work with youth, therefore I am currently developing my own knowledge and skills through my master’s program at Clemson University in youth development leadership.”

Interested in becoming a college adviser with NC State CAC? Attend a virtual information session or apply for next year’s program at https://advisingcorps.dasa.ncsu.edu/become-an-adviser/.