BOONE— Joni Petschauer has been named director of the newly established ARC Higher Education Project for College Access and Student Success, based at Appalachian. 

The project has been established by a $200,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).

Under Petschauer’s leadership, a collaborative network comprised of Appalachian, UNC Asheville and Western Carolina University will serve as a clearinghouse of information and data related to higher education access improvement activities in the state. The network serves the entire Appalachian region of North Carolina, and in particular provides opportunities for high schools in Alleghany, Ashe, Cherokee, Graham and Swain counties to apply for mini-grants to establish a College Access and Career Exploration Program.

“Joni Petschauer has been one of the primary architects of the university’s efforts to improve student learning and enhance the freshman experience at Appalachian,” said Harry Williams, acting associate vice chancellor for enrollment services. “Under her leadership, Appalachian’s Freshman Learning Communities has received national and regional recognition. I know she will bring the same level of passion to this new position.”

Petschauer has been director of learning communities at Appalachian since 1999. In addition, she has been co-director of the McGraw Hill Institute for Student Success and Academic Change (ISSAC), which is held at Appalachian, since 2002. She also has been an educational consultant with McGraw-Hill Higher Education since 2000.

Petschauer was learning skills coordinator in Appalachian’s Learning Assistance Program from 1987-99. She has been an instructor and faculty development team member for the Freshman Seminar Program since 1990.

She has a master’s degree in history from UNC Chapel Hill, and a master’s degree in counselor education and research and a bachelor’s degree in history from Appalachian.

###