About RISE

Connecting education, employers, and community to create real opportunity.

RISE (Regional Initiative for Skilled Employment) Caldwell–Watauga is a collaborative regional initiative that brings together the full strength of our educational and economic leadership. We connect students with paid internships, pre-apprenticeships, and registered apprenticeships across high-demand industries—helping them earn credentials, gain real experience, and step confidently into meaningful careers.

Through coordinated partnerships across Caldwell and Watauga counties, RISE strengthens the region’s workforce, supports local businesses, and builds a vibrant talent pipeline for the future.

What is RISE Caldwell–Watauga?

At RISE Caldwell–Watauga, our mission is to open doors to brighter futures. We connect students with hands-on, high-quality work experiences that help them discover their strengths, build real-world skills, and earn valuable credentials—all with the support they need to succeed.

By aligning K–12 schools, colleges, employers, and community partners, we create opportunities that prepare young people for meaningful careers and strengthen the future of Caldwell and Watauga counties.

Our Mission

We envision a community where every student sees a future for themselves right here at home—where young people feel confident stepping into careers they love, where businesses have the skilled talent they need, and where families thrive for generations.

RISE is building that future through a seamless pathway from classroom to career, empowering students, supporting employers, and growing a strong, resilient regional economy.

Our Vision

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We Believe

These principles guide every student experience and help prepare young people for success in both school and the workplace.

8 A’s of RISE

  1. Attitude

  2. Appropriateness

  3. Attire

  4. Attention

  5. Accountability

  6. Adaptability

  7. Appreciation

  8. Ambition

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Our Team

Tara Brossa

Executive Director

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Dezi Beltran

Digital Marketing Pre-Apprentice

Join Our Team

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Executive Committee

  • Picture of Dr. Mark Poarch - A man in a suit sitting at a desk, smiling, with wood-paneled walls and a leather chair in the background.

    Dr. Mark Poarch

    President, Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute

  • Picture of Dr. Leslie Alexander - A woman with blonde hair and a black blazer standing outdoors in front of brick building and trees, smiling with arms crossed.

    Dr. Leslie Alexander

    Superintendent, Watauga County Schools

  • Picture of Dr. Thomas Howell. A man with short light brown hair dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and patterned tie, smiling at the camera in an indoor setting.

    Dr. Thomas Howell

    Superintendent, Caldwell County Schools

  • Picture of Ashley Bolick - A woman with dark red, shoulder-length wavy hair wearing gold hoop earrings and a plaid blazer with red, blue, and yellow lines, smiling against a gray background.

    Ashley Bolick

    Director, Caldwell County Economic Development

  • Picture of Joe Furman - A smiling older man with a bald head and white beard, dressed in a dark suit, light blue shirt, and patterned tie, against a blue background.

    Joe Furman

    Director, Watauga County Economic Development

  • Picture of Rashelle Penley - A smiling woman with dark hair pulled back, wearing a floral top, outdoors with greenery in the background.

    Rashelle Penley

    Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute

Advisory Committee

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  • Tara Brossa
    Executive Director, RISE Caldwell–Watauga
    Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute

    Jason Chaffin
    Chief of Staff
    Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute

    Dr. Mark Poarch
    President
    Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute

    Rick Shew
    Associate Dean
    Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute

    Marla Christie
    Foundation Executive Director
    Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute

    Edward Terry
    Director of Grants
    Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute

    Brooke Cooper
    CTE Director
    Caldwell County Schools

    Katrina McEllen
    Assistant Superintendent
    Caldwell County Schools

    Dr. Thomas Howell
    Superintendent
    Caldwell County Schools

    Leslie Farris
    Curriculum & Instruction Management Coordinator (CTE)
    Caldwell County Schools

    Dr. Leslie Alexander
    Superintendent
    Watauga County Schools

    Tierra Stark
    Director of Student Services, CTE
    Watauga County Schools

    Scott Strickler
    Principal
    Watauga High School

    Laura Carson
    Career Development Coordinator
    Watauga High School

  • Randy Church
    Chariman
    Caldwell County Board of Commissioners

    Braxton Eggers
    Chairman
    Watauga County Board of Commissioners

    Shane Fox
    County Manager
    Caldwell County Administration

    Deron Geoque
    County Manager
    Watauga County Administration

  • Dr. David Lowery
    President & CEO
    UNC Health Caldwell

    Nathan Nipper
    President & CEO
    UNC Health Appalachian

    Alysia Price
    Chief Human Resources Officer
    UNC Health Appalachian

  • William Howard
    Senior Vice President, Human Resources
    Bernhardt Furniture

    Courtney Wright
    Human Resources Manager
    Exela Pharma Sciences

    Jason Wingate
    Senior Vice President
    Merchants Distributors, INC (MDI)

  • Ed Hinson
    Cheif Marketing & Sales Officer
    Sky Line Sky Best

    Josh Wilkie
    Construction Partner
    Wilkie Construction

    Bruce Baker
    Executive Director
    High Country Homebuilders Association

    Tasha Roundtree
    Blue Ridge Energy
    Director of Community Relations & Economic Development

    Matt Vincent
    VPC Builders
    Prokect Specialist

  • Chef Corey Hooks
    Executive Chef & Director
    J.E. Broyhill Civic Center Catering Group

    Talia Freeman
    Director of Marketing
    Beech Mountain Resort

    Chef Benjamin Sullivan
    Culinary Director
    Cranford Hospitality

  • Ashley Bolick
    Economic Development Director
    Caldwell County Economic Development

    Charity Patterson Hamber
    Director
    Western Piedmont Workforce Development Board

    Kim Case
    Regional Impact Manager
    myFutureNC

    Felicia Culbreath-Setzer
    Regional Operations Director
    NC Division of Workforce Solutions

    Joe Furman
    Economic Development Director
    Boone Area Chamber of Commerce &
    Watauga County Economic Development Commission

    Misty Bishop-Price
    Director
    High Country Workforce Development Board

Our advisory committee includes leaders across health care, manufacturing, hospitality, trades, and workforce development. Their insight guides RISE’s growth and helps ensure programs align with real industry needs.

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Press Releases

Featured
A Workforce Pathway Taking Shape in Western North Carolina
A Workforce Pathway Taking Shape in Western North Carolina
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Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and Watauga County Schools Host Inaugural Trades Signing Day
Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and Watauga County Schools Host Inaugural Trades Signing Day
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Watauga County Proclamation of National Apprenticeship Week
Watauga County Proclamation of National Apprenticeship Week
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Caldwell County Proclamation of National Apprenticeship Week
Caldwell County Proclamation of National Apprenticeship Week
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Apprenticeships are on the rise in North Carolina. Will that growth continue?
Apprenticeships are on the rise in North Carolina. Will that growth continue?
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Recapping the Inaugural Trades Signing Day Ceremony at Watauga High School
Recapping the Inaugural Trades Signing Day Ceremony at Watauga High School
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Inaugural Trades Signing Day
Inaugural Trades Signing Day
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RISE expands work-based learning for students
RISE expands work-based learning for students
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Watauga BOE hears report on early success of RISE Caldwell-Watauga Program by: Moss Brennan moss.brennan@wataugademocrat.com
Watauga BOE hears report on early success of RISE Caldwell-Watauga Program by: Moss Brennan moss.brennan@wataugademocrat.com

The Watauga County Board of Education recently heard a report on the early success of the RISE Caldwell-Watauga program.

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RISE and Shine: Bright Futures Ahead
RISE and Shine: Bright Futures Ahead

Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (CCC&TI) is proud to expand work-based learning opportunities in North Carolina’s Caldwell and Watauga Counties with the launch of RISE (Regional Initiative for Skilled Employment)

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Mind Your Business Podcast: Wrapping Up 2025 with RISE Caldwell Watauga
Mind Your Business Podcast: Wrapping Up 2025 with RISE Caldwell Watauga

On this week's episode, we take a closer look at the RISE Caldwell Watauga program, and how its connecting local employers with apprenticeships designed to enhance work-based learning for high school students interested in careers in the trades, manufacturing, health care, and hospitality sectors.

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Watauga EDC hears update on RISE workforce initiative
Watauga EDC hears update on RISE workforce initiative

The Watauga Economic Development Commission heard an in-depth presentation on the progress of RISE Caldwell Watauga, a workforce initiative designed to connect local students with employers and expand work-based learning opportunities across the region.

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CCC&TI announces partner initiative designed to connect students with work-based learning opportunities
CCC&TI announces partner initiative designed to connect students with work-based learning opportunities

Caldwell Community College and Technical Institutehas announced a new initiative to help local students connect to work-based learning opportunities that lead to sustainable employment.

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Workforce training initiative targets high-demand fields in Watauga County
Workforce training initiative targets high-demand fields in Watauga County

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners received an update on the RISE Caldwell-Watauga Program, a regional effort designed to expand work-based learning opportunities for local students.

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Your Future Belongs Here.

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Whether you’re a student ready to explore your next step or an employer ready to invest in local talent, RISE is building pathways that help our region thrive—one opportunity at a time.

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