High School Students Explore College Life at UNC Asheville

The University's Pre-College Program Offers A Wide Range Of Experiences And Connections

By UNC Asheville

March 17^th, 2026

Designed for high school students looking for a chance to explore college, the University of North Carolina Asheville’s Pre-College Programs offer an early taste of the UNC Asheville experience. The one-week summer programs, which explore personal interests in topics spanning the arts, sciences, and technology, are structured to provide a well-rounded experience that balances academics, community, and fun activities. Students get a peek into college life beyond the classroom, where they sleep in the residence halls and eat at the campus dining hall.

For Bruce Owens, a first-year student at UNC Asheville, attending the Pre-College Program in Music Composition and Songwriting confirmed his excitement about becoming a Bulldog. “I learned how to write music, I learned about music technology—which is what I’m here for now,” he says.

High school students in UNC Asheville's Pre-College Program learn from college faculty in University classrooms.

Blair Jenkins, director of conferences and camps at UNC Asheville, discusses the importance of Pre-College Programs and their impact on students curious about the college experience.

“Students can explore potential fields of study and career paths with hands-on, immersive academic experiences and direct interactions with faculty and professionals in a supportive environment,” Jenkins explains. “Just as important, the program helps students build independence, confidence, and a sense of belonging on a college campus.”

The programs provide a safe, structured environment for students who may be spending their first week ever away from home. According to Jenkins, staff sleep in the same residence halls as students, and nurses are on-call for emergencies and medical needs.

High School Students Explore College Life at UNC Asheville

Professor of Biology Graham Reynolds teaches Wildlife Wonders: Appalachian Zoology to rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors each summer. The course is geared towards aspiring biologists but will inspire anyone interested in studying local wildlife up close.

One highlight of his course is a visit to a private reserve where students can observe two of the region’s most spectacular species — synchronous fireflies and rare blue ghost fireflies. An opportunity, Reynolds notes, that students would “almost never have a chance” to experience otherwise.

Small class sizes and close faculty-student mentorship are hallmarks of UNC Asheville — values that carry over into the Pre-College Program as well. Reynolds has seen firsthand how meaningful those connections can be, noting that several students have since reached out to him for letters of recommendation.

Reynolds says UNC Asheville’s program stands out from other UNC system schools because its courses are taught by full-time University faculty. “The goal is to offer exciting programs for high school students who are motivated to learn, experience a college campus, and interact with college faculty,” he said.

Completing the Pre-College Program experience offers students the opportunity to explore if UNC Asheville is right for them.

“By the end of the week, many students leave feeling that UNC Asheville could truly be the place for them,” said Jenkins. “We want students to feel connected, confident, and excited about the possibility of being here.”

“In high school, I wasn’t passionate about what I was doing,” said Owens. He says attending UNC Asheville’s Pre-College Programs “was the first time I actually was passionate about learning in a long time.”

Program dates for 2026 Pre-College Programs at UNC Asheville are June 14–19 and June 21–26. More information about the Pre-College Programs, including how to register, is available at unca.edu/precollege.

Footnotes

Story by Pearl Powell. Pearl is a senior studying Mass Communication with a concentration in Journalism at UNC Asheville. She has been working as an intern in the University’s Communication and Marketing Department since Jan. 2026.

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