Dr. Emily Garrison currently serves as the Director of TRIO Programs at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, located in the beautiful foothills of western North Carolina. In this role, she leads both the TRIO Educational Talent Search and TRIO Student Support Services programs and has proudly served in this capacity for the past ten years.
With over 25 years of experience in education, Dr. Garrison began her career as an elementary classroom teacher and later transitioned into school administration, serving as an assistant principal and principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Her background in K-12 education continues to inform her work with students and families in the college setting.
Dr. Garrison is deeply committed to increasing access to higher education for first-generation, low-income, and underserved students, particularly in rural communities. She believes in the power of education to transform lives and communities, and she approaches her work with a heart for service, advocacy, and relationship-building. Her leadership is grounded in equity, student support, and systemic change.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Wingate University, a Master’s degree in School Administration from Appalachian State University, and a PhD in Higher Education with a concentration in Community College Leadership from Old Dominion University.
Dr. Garrison also serves as the Vice President of the North Carolina TRIO Association and is a board member for the Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (SAEOPP). She was recently selected to participate in the Council for Opportunity in Education’s prestigious Executive Leadership Institute. Additionally, she has presented at numerous state and national conferences, supporting professionals who serve first-generation, low-income students, and contributing to the broader field of educational access and student success.
