Friday, January 31st, 2014

For Immediate Release
Appalachian Transition Fellowship
1959 Highlander Way
New Market, TN 37820
www.AppFellows.org

Highlander Research & Education Center & Rural Support Partners is launching the Appalachian Transition Fellowship June 2, 2014. This fellowship seeks to increase the connectivity and capacity of Appalachian institutions, communities, and leaders for shared analysis to facilitate regional transformation.

Central Appalachia is engaged in a period of economic transition. While the decline of previously stable industries such as coal and manufacturing bring significant economic instability, it also offers Appalachia the opportunity to focus on the long-term well-being of its people and its communities. This economic transition allows regionally-based industries to prosper while also protecting and supporting the environmental and social well-being of the
region. The Appalachian Transition Fellowship (AppFellows) will build & support the collective analysis & projects of regional institutions and leaders that address =systemic problems such as healthy food access, health disparities & energy inefficiency to create a just and sustainable Appalachian economy.

This program offers the opportunity to spend a year working within host communities to help foster cross-sector (education, nonprofit, for-profit, philanthropy, and government) partnerships, provide needed capacity to regional efforts, and build personal and professional skills. Through institutional placements, independently designed projects, training, and mentoring, the program gives emerging leaders skills and networks needed to advance economic and social change in the region.

About The Appalachian Transition Fellowship (AppFellows)

AppFellows is a year-long, full-time, paid program designed for 15 emerging community leaders who are committed to working in Central Appalachia, defined as West Virginia, Southwest Virginia, Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Tennessee, Appalachian Ohio and Western North Carolina, for the economic transition of the region.

We are excited to receive fellow applications. Applications are due on February 10, 2014, and can be found at our website AppFellows.org

The inaugural class will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Dedicated to the Central Appalachian Region
• Have shown creativity and innovation in their work or field of study
• Serious about a career that will support the transition to a sustainable and equitable region
• Interest in supporting economic development programs
• Strong collaboration, teamwork and group decision-making skills
• Commitment to working in rural areas
• Willingness to participate in all of AppFellows year-long activities

For interview opportunities, please contact Joe Tolbert at tolbert@highlandercenter.org or call 865-933-3443

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