WHO WE ARE
WHO WE ARE
Embedded Files
The Murray Family ACCESS Program is App State's promise to low-income North Carolina students that higher education is within reach. Students who earn a place at App State and are selected for the ACCESS scholarship and support program have the opportunity to graduate debt-free. The program supplements federal and state financial aid grants with ACCESS scholarships that cover students’ tuition and fees along with room, board and book rental costs for up to 8 semesters. We were founded in 2007 and since then have helped graduate more than 546 students debt-free.
ACCESS accepts 50 new full-time first-year students each fall semester and serve 180 to 200 enrolled students each year. About 80% of our students are also first generation students.
In addition to providing students with scholarship funds, we provide serval resources and activities to enhance students' educational experience including:
Personalized academic advising, from orientation to graduation
A College Success Seminar course
Weekly one-on-one mentoring for first year students
A first year student retreat
Professional development workshops
A career planning course for upper-level students
Financial aid counseling
A leadership certificate
A variety of community building events
Meet the ACCESS Team
Meet the ACCESS Team
Beth Marsh is the Director of the ACCESS Scholarship Program. She has been with Appalachian State University for 25 years and with the ACCESS Scholarship Program for 18 years!
Hometown: Danville, Virginia
Education: Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from William & Mary
Master of Arts in College Student Development from Appalachian State
Education Specialist from Appalachian State University
Favorite Part of Job: I love helping students navigate something they thought might be impossible. I love the relationships that we form and seeing the joy and relief on their faces when they graduate. I love deep conversations with them, and I also love the belly laughs that happen too.
Favorite Things to Do Outside of Work: I love playing tennis with my family, sitting on the front porch watching the kids play, hanging with my dog Mocha, walking, swimming, reading, watching reality tv with my hubs (it's true), tutoring math, Halloween, cooking and baking with my 15 year old, advocating for equity in education at all levels, cutting hair (a new skill), and having deep conversations with anyone.
Claire LeMoine is the Assistant Director of the ACCESS Scholarship Program. She has been with Appalachian State University and the ACCESS Scholarship Program for 5.5 years. Prior to joining the team full time, Claire worked as a mentor for ACCESS for 2 years during graduate school.
Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Louisiana College
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Appalachian State University
Graduate Certificate in Expressive Arts Therapy with a Body Centered Concertation from Appalachian State University
Graduate Certificate in College and University Teaching from Appalachian State University
Favorite Part of Job: I love building relationships & supporting students with their unique needs & goals. I love when students just pop by to say hi & getting to be there for the highs & the lows of their college experience.
Favorite Things to Do Outside of Work: I love being outside (hiking, paddle boarding, etc.), moving my body (pilates, swimming, spin), traveling, crafting, live music, reading, & spending time with family & friends. I love connecting with people and hearing their stories. I am also a dog mom to three rescues and love spending time with them and my husband.
Wendy Ray is the Senior Assistant Director of University Scholarships and the Financial Aid Contact for ACCESS. She has been with Appalachian State University for 12.5 years and has worked with ACCESS students in various ways over the years!
Hometown: Boone, NC
Education: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
Favorite Part of Job: I love working with students!
Favorite Things to Do Outside of Work: Hanging out with my family, hiking, and crafting!
Amber Kirscht has been our University Program Associate since 2024. She has worked on campus as a RA in her undergrad years and with Campus Dining in different capacities since 2022.
Hometown: Port Tobacco, MD
Education: Bachelor's of Science in Political Science, current Master of Business Administration Candidate
Favorite Part of Job: The best part of my job is getting to serve some of the hardest working students on campus. Watching them succeed and accomplish so much is amazing to see!
Favorite Things to Do Outside of Work: I love to read, play video games, and crochet in my downtime. I also have a 5 year old daughter and a 4 year old son and 4 cats that provide endless entertainment and laughs, spending time at home with them absolutely fills my cup.
please reach out to us if you need anything!
please reach out to us if you need anything!
The best way to reach any of us is by email. Please allow a 24-48 hour response time. We typically do not respond on the weekend. We also have an open door policy so if we are in our office and not in a meeting, you are welcome to pop by anytime.
In addition to our professional staff team, we have multiple graduate students who work closely with our students for mentoring and other professional development opportunities. We also have multiple campus partners around campus that help us support our students in being successful in college.
In addition to our professional staff team, we have multiple graduate students who work closely with our students for mentoring and other professional development opportunities. We also have multiple campus partners around campus that help us support our students in being successful in college.
Page updated
Report abuse