SOAR Program at Mayland Community College

11/06/2025

Spooktacular 2025

09/23/2025

Mayland Community College
SOAR Program
Grant Funding News

The SOAR Program (Support Options for Achievement and Retention) at Mayland Community College, has received a new grant award of $365,206 annually, totaling $1,826.030 over the five-year grant period. The grant will continue the operation of the program through August 2031. SOAR is an SSS-Student Support Services TRIO program funded by the Department of Education that has been in operation at Mayland CC since 1988. The Program will support 160 students each academic year in Mitchell, Avery and Yancey counties.

The program staff includes director Debbie Stafford, MS, counselors, Dora Smith, MA, and Maria Braswell, MA, LCMHC, administrative assistant Debra Cagle, AS, and supplemental English and math instructors, Elizabeth Hardy and Tiffany Williams. The staff has had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the many successes our students have achieved and we are proud of each student who has become part of the SOAR family.

The goal of the SOAR-SSS TRIO program is to provide comprehensive services in a supportive and inclusive educational climate that will help students overcome unique barriers and will improve their persistence, good academic standing, graduation and transfer rates and help them obtain employment. Students must qualify for the program by meeting one of the following criteria: be first-generation (neither parent has earned a four-year degree), have limited income or have a documented disability.

SOAR provides academic support, skills building in reading, English, and math, career exploration and job readiness education, financial assistance and financial literacy training, transfer assistance and university visits, tutoring/peer mentoring, personal counseling, soft skills development, social and cultural enrichment activities, individualized success plans, and a computer lab. Each student’s journey is unique and services are tailored to fit each one.

08/21/2025

Welcome to Fall semester! Returning students check in with your SOAR counselor. New Students-Welcome to SOAR. Reminder-Check email daily.

11/20/2024

Únase a nosotros del 25 al 27 de noviembre de 2024 para nuestro primer Evento de Inscripción Abierta M&M, abierto a los residentes de los condados de Avery, Mitchell y Yancey de 18 años en adelante. Este evento le ayudará a explorar opciones de seguro médico asequibles, incluyendo Marketplace, Medicare y Medicaid. Nuestros socios expertos—Pisgah Legal Services, Mountain Community Health Partnership (MCHP), NC Cooperative Extension Services y el Consulado Mexicano de Raleigh—estarán en el lugar para ofrecer apoyo y orientación.

💬 El Consulado Mexicano también proporcionará servicios a los miembros de la comunidad que necesiten pasaportes, certificados de nacimiento, certificados de matrimonio y otros documentos esenciales, haciendo que estos recursos sean accesibles localmente sin necesidad de viajar a Raleigh.

🙏 Tras el huracán Helene, estamos aquí para apoyar a quienes han sido afectados por cambios laborales o la pérdida de seguro médico. ¡Asegurémonos de que cada familia de nuestra comunidad montañosa tenga la cobertura que necesita!

📅 Fechas y Horarios del Evento
NOV 25 | 3:00-6:00 p.m.
NOV 26 | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
NOV 27 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

📢 Ayude a correr la voz y únase a nosotros para informarse, inscribirse y aprovechar esta oportunidad para asegurar una cobertura de salud asequible. Para preguntas, contacte a Miki Pontorno en [email protected] o llame al 828-766-1850.

11/05/2024

A reminder, if you don't have internet access, you can use extended hours in the computer labs at MCC!

Campus resources for students who need access to WIFI!

10/29/2024

10/28/2024

If you need to know which Faculty Advisor you are assigned to, please contact 828-766-1234.

10/24/2024

Check the new Hurricane Helene Relief Resources for Students page for current information about community and campus supports available to students. Check back regularly for updates.

Hurricane Helene Relief Resources for Students
https://www.mayland.edu/hurricane-helene-relief-resources-for-students/

10/24/2024

If you are an MCC student experiencing an emergency and need assistance to continue your academic studies, please complete the application found here:

https://forms.office.com/r/VzLNT0D0aw

10/15/2024

The S.O.A.R. staff is at Mayland and working. Current Students: The Counselor are calling students now. If you have not hear from them yet and can please call your Counselor to check in. Be Safe.

Send a message to learn more

08/21/2024

Come check us out! :)