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Appalachian Leadership Institute

UTK awarded new bid for Appalachian Leadership Institute, launching Year 7 of ARC Regional Sustainability Initiative 

Dr. Tim Ezzell, PI, and Catherine Wilt 

In 2019, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, along with partners Tuskegee University and Collective Impact, LLC, was selected by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to design and implement the curriculum of the Appalachian Leadership Institute (ALI). ALI is a leadership training opportunity that equips Appalachian community leaders to use economic development as a tool to drive positive change, designed for people who live or work in Appalachia and are passionate about helping their communities thrive. 

Recently, our team, which includes Dr. Tim Ezzell and Cat Wilt of the Institute for a Secure & Sustainable Environment, and Dr. Katie Cahill, Assistant Dean of Academic and Student Affairs for the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studios, and a UT graduate student fellow, was chosen to continue its leadership and development role with the Institute.

Since ALI’s inception, it has trained almost 240 fellows from 13 states in areas ranging from infrastructure and tourism to workforce development and capacity development. During the nine-month program, fellows participate in sessions across the Appalachian Region where they learn from existing leaders, experts from a wide range of fields, and residents working to improve their communities. 

From October to July, fellows meet for six skill-building seminars and conduct field visits across Appalachia, followed by a capstone graduation event held in Washington, D.C. All costs of participation, including travel and lodging, are covered by the program. At the conclusion, ALI Fellows will have gained access to a world class network of peers and other experts across Appalachia. Past dignitaries involved in the program include the U.S. Postmaster General, former governors, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. 

Following completion of the program, fellows will be better equipped to take positive action toward collaborative solutions to Appalachia’s greatest challenges. Fellows will learn to: 

  • Identify and implement strategies to strengthen their communities.
  • Collaborate with a network of leaders across Appalachia.
  • Recognize and utilize unique assets in their communities to build economic development plans.  
  • Appreciate the unique challenges and shared experiences of Appalachians.   

The entire team is excited to continue their important work with the ARC and looks forward to launching ALI’s seventh year with a new class of fellows in Ashland, Kentucky this fall.