Future Opportunities

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The Center of Excellence for Appalachian Studies and Services began as an effort to provide reliable data and representations of the region while improving the quality of life for its residents.  What started as an aspiration among ETSU faculty and staff to become a focal point for high-quality regional research and creative activity has, over the past 40 years, developed into a respected research center valued for generating accurate and nuanced information about southern and central Appalachia.

With decades of investment through grant programs, publications, educational initiatives, and public events, the Center exemplifies how dedication, passion, and academic rigor can be leveraged to benefit a region.

Despite measurable and substantial successes, the need for well-researched information about Appalachia remains great.  The region faces environmental threats from mountaintop removal coal mining, industrial pollution, and loss of wilderness, while also continuing to lag behind the rest of the nation on socioeconomic indicators in such areas as poverty, educational attainment, broadband access, substance use disorders, and public health.  Additionally, Appalachia continues to be reduced to stereotypes that obscure its vibrant, diverse, and nuanced histories and cultures.

The Center’s achievements have demonstrated the value of sustained scholarly and creative investments in the region.  Today, it stands as a trusted a partner in regional studies and broader conversations, providing accurate information and thoughtful depictions that bring greater understanding about the region to a national audience.  The Center’s expertise uniquely positions it to identify future needs and utilize available resources to address those needs.

As Appalachia faces a future of both challenges and opportunities, the Center is poised to lead efforts that contribute to regional economic development and foster civility and understanding, paving the way for lasting, positive change.

Future Opportunities