GATES COUNTY, N.C. — Thirteen high school students from Gates, Hertford, Camden, and Perquimans counties spent four days exploring colleges, career possibilities, history, culture, and community responsibility during the 2026 Activate Futures College Tour, sponsored by Gates County Community Partnership.
The free tour, held July 6–9, was supported by the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation and included transportation, lodging, meals, admissions sessions, campus tours, and evening activities. Students were accompanied by Ashley Hall, a Gates County Schools teacher and Director of Activate Futures, and Benjamin C. Saunders, Jr., Founder and Vice President of Gates County Community Partnership.
The group departed the Gates County Community Center on July 6 and visited North Carolina A&T State University, Winston-Salem State University, Davidson College, Livingstone College, UNC Charlotte, and UNC Greensboro.
At North Carolina A&T, students received both a campus tour and a special presentation from Dr. Antoine Alston, Associate Dean of Academics in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. Alston introduced students to opportunities in agriculture, environmental science, food science, engineering, research, and other STEM fields. He repeatedly encouraged them to pursue internships, study abroad, scholarships, undergraduate research, and campus involvement.
Among the lessons students remembered were Alston’s statements, “College is not for everybody, but it is for somebody. It is for you,” and, while encouraging graduate study, “Keep going to school while you are used to being broke.”
The presentation also highlighted A&T’s strength in sponsored research and the broad range of careers connected to agriculture and environmental sciences. The visit was supported by the Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Project of Roanoke Cooperative.
The tour continued at Winston-Salem State University, where the university’s motto, “Enter to Learn! Depart to Serve!” reinforced one of the central themes of the trip. Students were impressed by the beauty and attention to detail inside the Cleon F. Thompson Student Services Center, as well as the welcoming staff, historic and modern buildings, and strong sense of student support. A graduate student ambassador known as “JT” was especially praised for presenting the university with enthusiasm and professionalism.
Davidson College offered students a different perspective on higher education. They learned about the rigor and benefits of a small liberal arts college, including small classes, undergraduate research, internships, foreign language and visual arts requirements, and extensive study-abroad opportunities. Because Davidson does not have graduate programs, its academic resources are focused heavily on undergraduate students.
The visit also included the “With These Hands” memorial, which recognizes the enslaved and exploited people whose labor contributed to the founding and development of Davidson College. The memorial gave students an opportunity to reflect on history, truth, equity, and institutional responsibility.
At Livingstone College, the advantages of a small campus environment were emphasized. Students learned that a smaller school can make it easier to connect with professors, administrators, and classmates. Librarian Laura Johnson offered encouragement and wisdom, while student ambassadors Keith Watson and Jalen Robinson urged the group to network, build relationships, join organizations, and deliberately engage with faculty and staff. Students also learned about Livingstone’s investments in construction and renovation, as well as its merit-based grants and scholarships.
The final day included visits to UNC Charlotte and UNC Greensboro. At UNC Charlotte, students attended an admissions session and completed a self-guided campus tour. They were impressed by the university’s size, landscaping, architecture, academic offerings, research opportunities, and connection to the Charlotte business community. They also learned that admission is increasingly competitive, especially in programs such as nursing, engineering, business, and computer science.
UNC Greensboro concluded the tour on a strong note. The university provided a detailed admissions session and guided tour that highlighted academic programs, diversity, student support, scholarships, study abroad, career preparation, and campus life. Students were especially interested in learning that UNCG offers direct admission from high school into its nursing program. They also noticed the university’s large Latino and African American student populations and its welcoming, inclusive environment.
Beyond the campus visits, the tour included a guided experience at the International Civil Rights Center and Museum in Greensboro. Students learned that the museum tells a much broader story than the Greensboro Four sit-in, chronicling the larger Civil Rights Movement and the sacrifices made by ordinary people who stood for justice.
Evening activities, including time in Charlotte, Topgolf, a Charlotte Knights baseball game, and group meals, were designed to expose students to life beyond their hometowns, strengthen relationships, and build independence. After a long first day, the group ended the evening with pizza at the hotel.
For the students, the trip was about more than simply seeing campuses.
“The 2026 college tour taught me that I’m not limited to only one area,” said Skye Murray. “I enjoyed seeing all of the different types of programs that the colleges presented. Touring all of the schools made me step out of my comfort zone and was such a rewarding experience.”
Zariah Rogers said the tour changed how she thinks about making the most of college.
“This trip taught me to make the most of my college experience by building connections with my classmates and professors, asking questions, and taking advantage of every opportunity that is thrown my way,” Rogers said. “I also learned that studying abroad is an amazing way to explore cultures and learn about them while continuing my education, and that grants and scholarships can help make those opportunities possible.”
Ezera Hathaway said the experience encouraged her to become more intentional about networking, persistence, and service.
“The 2026 Activate Futures College Tour has taught me to step outside of my comfort zone to network and make myself known at whatever college I choose,” Hathaway said. “Starting now, I must take advantage of opportunities. When things get uncomfortable or hard, I must keep pushing. I feel I am on the road to success, and to make the best of it I must give back to my community and lead the way for others.”
Hathaway also noted that the tour helped students better understand college affordability.
“You can go to school and not have to worry about debt or student loans if you do what is required in high school and during the college application process,” she said.
Malana Jordan said the experience helped her realize that choosing a college is about much more than academics.
“Being able to tour six North Carolina colleges taught me that it’s not just about academics; it’s also about finding a place where I feel like I belong,” Jordan said.
Her reflection echoed one of the tour’s central messages, that selecting a college should involve finding a campus where students can thrive academically, socially, and personally while building meaningful relationships and taking advantage of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.
Ashley Hall said the tour allowed students to see possibilities that may have previously felt distant.
“Each campus gave our students something different to consider, but the message was consistent: prepare academically, ask questions, build relationships, and take advantage of every opportunity,” Hall said. “Watching them become more confident, more engaged, and more thoughtful each day was incredibly rewarding. They returned home with a better understanding of college and a clearer vision for their own futures.”
Benjamin C. Saunders, Jr. said the experience was intentionally designed to connect education with leadership and service.
“We wanted our students to understand that college is not simply a place to earn a degree,” Saunders said. “It is an opportunity to develop intellectually, socially, and personally, and then use that growth to strengthen your family and community. The colleges challenged them to pursue excellence, seek new experiences, travel, conduct research, build networks, and serve others. That is exactly what Activate Futures is intended to do.”
Gates County Community Partnership created Activate Futures to support the academic, personal, and social development of young people while expanding access to college and career opportunities. Organizers said the 2026 tour gave participants more than information about admissions. It helped them imagine themselves in new environments, recognize the value of academic preparation, and understand their responsibility to use education in service to others.