150 Appalachian Students Participate in Appalachian Teaching Project Conference in Washington, D.C. December 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 2, 2016—On December 2 and 3, 2016, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) will host approximately 150 students representing 14 colleges and universities from 11 Appalachian states in Washington, D.C., for the 16th annual Appalachian Teaching Project (ATP) conference. Supported by ARC and organized by the Center for Appalachian Studies and Services at East Tennessee State University, ATP coordinates student teams from regional colleges and universities to develop applied research projects on economic and community development issues in the Appalachian Region. As part of ATP, student teams travel to Washington, D.C., to formally present their research to other participating schools and to ARC leadership.

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“Each year, the Appalachian Teaching Project brings together students from across the Region to share their research, work, and vision,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Earl F. Gohl. “These next-generation leaders are energetic and innovative, and give a glimpse into Appalachia’s bright future.”

This year’s ATP projects reflect key themes in ARC’s strategic investment plan, including natural and cultural asset development, downtown revitalization, leadership and planning, workforce development, and health.

Colleges and universities participating in the 2016 Appalachian Teaching Project include:

•  Alfred State College, Alfred, New York
•  Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina
•  Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama
•  East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee
•  Fairmont State University, Fairmont, West Virginia
•  Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Pennsylvania
•  Mississippi University for Women, Columbus, Mississippi
•  Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky
•  Radford University, Radford, Virginia
•  Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, Cumberland, Kentucky
•  University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, Georgia
•  University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, Bradford, Pennsylvania
•  University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
•  Zane State College, Zanesville, Ohio

Nearly 2,000 students from 20 colleges and universities have participated in ATP since the program began in 2001. In addition to strengthening students’ research skills, the program helps participants cultivate leadership and public policy skills. Presentations from previous ATP conferences are available on the Appalachian Regional Commission’s YouTube channel.

Follow the Appalachian Teaching Project on Facebook and Twitter at #ARCATP.

About the Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission (www.arc.gov) is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 420 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the Region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.