The Reich College of Education's impact extends from classrooms and school districts to campus clinics, community organizations, and research partnerships. Through educator and leader preparation, direct service, and applied scholarship, RCOE works with partners to respond to educational needs across Western North Carolina, the state, and beyond.
Impact at a Glance
First in the Nation: For 10 consecutive years, App State has produced more National Board Certified teachers than any other university in the nation, with 2,461 nationally board-certified App State alumni in 2025.
155 beginning teachers in 13 districts: RCOE's Beginning Teacher Support Program provides coaching and mentorship.
More than $900,000 in scholarships: Support awarded to over 200 RCOE students in the 2025-26 academic year through a growing portfolio of endowed and donor-supported scholarships, including the James Patterson Teacher Education Scholarship.
Record fundraising and grant support: RCOE achieved a record fundraising year of $4.38 million in fiscal year 2026 and has secured more than $8.6 million in recent grant funding supporting research, workforce development, and community partnerships.
Preparing and Supporting Educators
Teacher preparation has been central to App State since its founding. Today, RCOE offers multiple pathways into the profession, including undergraduate and graduate programs, alternative routes to licensure, and school-based clinical experiences. As a participating institution in North Carolina Teaching Fellows, App State also connects future educators with scholarship support and professional development. The college's work continues after graduation through programs that support early-career teachers and partnerships with public schools.
North Carolina Teaching Fellows: As a participating institution in this statewide program, App State supports the preparation of future educators in elementary education, special education, and STEM fields. The program provides eligible students with forgivable loans, leadership development, professional learning, and opportunities to build connections within the teaching profession. With nearly 200 current students, App State is the third-largest NC Teaching Fellows program in the state.
James Center for Student Success and Advising: The James Center serves as a central resource for students pursuing teacher education at App State. It provides academic advising, guidance through teacher education admission requirements, testing support, and professional development opportunities. Through initiatives such as the Education Peer Ambassadors and Appalachian Community of Education Scholars (ACES), the center also fosters student leadership, mentorship, and engagement, helping future educators navigate their academic pathways and prepare for careers in teaching.
Developing Leaders for Schools and Communities
RCOE prepares professionals to lead educational organizations at different career stages. Its school administration pathways, including participation in the North Carolina Principal Fellows Program, support the development of school leaders. Across the college, graduate and professional programs also prepare counselors, higher education professionals, organizational leaders, and other practitioners whose work shapes learning and well-being in diverse settings.
North Carolina Principal Fellows: Through its participation in the North Carolina Principal Fellows Program, App State contributes to the preparation and development of future school leaders. The initiative complements RCOE's graduate programs in school administration and reflects the college's commitment to strengthening educational leadership across North Carolina.
Learning and Service in Partnership with Communities
Several RCOE programs create places where university learning and community service meet. They also provide opportunities for students, faculty, and practitioners to learn from the people they serve.
Academy at Middle Fork. A free public K–5 laboratory school connecting children and families with university–school collaboration and educator preparation.
Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges (ARRC). An App State-based research collaborative that studies regional and rural-serving colleges and leads the Rural Talent Development and Attraction Lab, a multistate initiative focused on rural postsecondary and workforce opportunities.
Anderson Reading Clinic. Year-round literacy assessment and reading services for Watauga County K–8 students, alongside teacher training.
Lucy Brock Child Development Lab. A licensed early care and education program serving children from birth through age five and providing a professional preparation setting for majors across the university.
Mathematics and Science Education Center. STEM resources and professional learning for educators, as well as mathematics clinics serving children in the High Country and Hickory.
Public School Partnership. Established in 1987, the Public School Partnership brings together RCOE and regional public schools to strengthen educator preparation, professional learning, and educational innovation. Through collaborative initiatives, professional development, National Board certification support, and shared learning opportunities, the partnership connects university faculty and P–12 educators in efforts to improve teaching and learning across the region
Scholars with Diverse Abilities (SDAP) Program. provides an inclusive college experience for students with intellectual disabilities, fostering personal growth, career readiness, independent living skills, and meaningful campus engagement.