Staff Report
news@wataugademocrat.comNov 13, 2026
RISE student Solomon Triplett (left) with Governor Josh Stein and a fellow student honoree at the NCBCE Annual Meeting in Raleigh.
Photo courtesy Office of Governor Josh Stein
WATAUGA — Students from RISE Caldwell–Watauga were among those recognized at the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) Annual Meeting in Raleigh, where business, education, and workforce leaders gathered to highlight the importance of connecting students with career opportunities.
RISE student Solomon Triplett, a nursing pre-apprentice with UNC Health Appalachian, was a featured participant. Before the program began, Triplett met Governor Josh Stein and later delivered remarks to attendees and introduced the Governor.
Triplett also took part in a panel discussion on work-based learning and career preparation. He reflected on his growth through RISE and how the experience prepared him for his next chapter at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He spoke about the value of gaining professional experience while still in high school and how it built his confidence and college readiness.
Triplett earned his Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) credential while in high school and entered RISE with that experience. During his first pre-apprenticeship, he worked in the ICU at UNC Health Appalachian and shadowed in the operating room. After graduating from Watauga High School in June 2026, he was invited back for a second pre-apprenticeship this summer, serving as a CNA. He aspires to become an ICU nurse or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).
The panel also included Alysia Price, Chief Human Resources Officer at UNC Health Appalachian, who discussed building career pathways and programs within the health system. Price shared how the success of RISE students across departments has generated growing interest among leadership teams, with additional departments requesting student placements after seeing the contributions of students already in the program.
Solomon Triplett addresses attendees before introducing Governor Stein.
Photo courtesy Office of Governor Josh Stein
The relationship between RISE Caldwell–Watauga and UNC Health Appalachian began with conversations about a year ago. Since then, the collaboration has grown into meaningful work-based learning opportunities for local students and has earned statewide recognition. The partnership shows how education and healthcare organizations can work together to meet workforce needs while introducing students to careers close to home.
RISE Executive Director Tara Brossa joined the panel to discuss the program's rapid growth, the partnerships and strategies behind its success, and lessons other communities can apply when developing similar work-based learning initiatives. Since launching in January 2026, RISE has created 120 work-based learning opportunities for students and partnered with more than 60 employers across the High Country.
Student spotlight cards were displayed on tables throughout the meeting, featuring both Triplett and Rylee Mitchell.
Mitchell, now a Nursing Registered Apprentice with UNC Health Appalachian, began as a RISE Health Support Specialist Pre-Apprentice. She spent her first pre-apprenticeship at the Harmony Women's Health Clinic, caring for patients and learning how a medical clinic operates. After graduating from Watauga High School in June 2026, she returned for a second pre-apprenticeship through the hospital's onsite training and Medical Assisting program. As a Registered Apprentice, Mitchell plans to attend Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute as she prepares for admission to its Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program and works toward becoming a Registered Nurse.
“Seeing our students recognized on a statewide stage reinforces the importance of creating meaningful connections between education and industry,” said Brossa. “The relationship with UNC Health Appalachian is a great example of what can happen when organizations come together around a shared vision. In just one year, conversations have developed into opportunities that are making a difference for students and helping strengthen our regional workforce. We are grateful to the many school, college, employer, and community partners who make these experiences possible.”
Governor Stein talks with Solomon Triplett and a fellow student honoree before the program.
Photo courtesy Office of Governor Josh Stein
RISE Caldwell–Watauga is a collaborative work-based learning initiative connecting high school students with local employers through internships, pre-apprenticeships, and career pathway experiences. The program brings together collaborative partners Watauga County Schools, Caldwell County Schools, the Watauga Economic Development Commission, Caldwell County Economic Development, and Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (CCC&TI), along with local employers and community partners, to help students build professional skills, explore careers, and gain practical experience.
RISE welcomes additional employers and community partners interested in offering students opportunities to explore careers and gain hands-on experience. Through internships, mentorship, and career pathway development, local organizations can play an important role in preparing the next generation of the regional workforce.
About RISE Caldwell-Watauga
RISE Caldwell–Watauga connects high school students with local employers through structured work-based learning opportunities. By building partnerships between education and industry, RISE helps students develop skills, explore career pathways, and discover opportunities to build their futures in the communities they call home. For more information or to explore partnership opportunities, visit risecaldwellwatauga.org.
From left: Sullivan Schenck, Nursing Apprenticeship Healthcare Liaison, North Carolina Business Committee for Education, Office of the Governor; Kiydra Harris, Program Director, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation; Solomon Triplett, UNC Chapel Hill student and former RISE Pre-Apprentice; Alysia Price, Chief Human Resources Officer, UNC Health Appalachian; Tara Brossa, Executive Director, RISE Caldwell–Watauga; Charlie Milling, Program Director, NC Career Launch.