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REaCH Student Guaranteed Admission to App State

Mar 26

Natalie Ludlum with Aspire Appalachian signMarch 26, 2025 - Richmond Community College student Natalie Ludlum was recently accepted into the Aspire Appalachian Program, which means she has guaranteed admission to Appalachian State University for the 2026 fall semester.

Aspire Appalachian is a seamless pathway for students enrolled at RichmondCC to complete their degree at Appalachian State University. Students participating will receive dedicated advising assistance from both RichmondCC and Appalachian State University, and access to special webinars, events, and newsletters.

“I learned about Aspire Appalachian through a friend who plans to go to Appalachian,” Natalie said. “I decided to apply because it was one of my choices for college, and this would help ease the transfer process.”

Natalie is a junior in the Richmond Early College High School (REaCH) program. She will graduate in 2026 with her high school diploma and an Associate in Arts degree from RichmondCC.

“I plan to major in elementary education. Once I obtain a bachelor's degree from Appalachian State, I plan to start my career as a first- or second-grade teacher,” Natlie said.

Natalie is very excited about having guaranteed admission to App State.

“I am looking forward to this new independence and being able to meet new people. I am also looking forward to the scenery as the App State campus and the mountains are beautiful,” Natalie said.

Aspire Appalachian is one of 10 coadmissions programs that RichmondCC has to offer students. The others are:

  • UNC-Chapel Hill (C-STEP)
  • East Carolina University (Pirate Promise)
  • NC State University (C3)
  • NC A&T State University (Aggie Plus Program)
  • UNC-Pembroke (BraveStep)
  • UNC-Wilmington (PathWays)
  • Gardner-Webb University (Bulldog Bound)
  • Lees-McRae University (GAP)
  • Pfeiffer University (Pfeiffer Pact)

“Richmond Community College has allowed me to have easy access to higher education and has provided a basis for my degree. This college has also prepared me for what life could be like at a university,” Natalie said.