About the Program

The all-inclusive, nine-month program runs from October-July and includes skill-building seminars and best practice reviews. The program includes field visits during six separate sessions across the Appalachian Region, followed by a capstone graduation event held in Washington, D.C.

The Appalachian Leadership Institute is limited to 40 fellows annually, drawn from Appalachia’s public, private and non-profit sectors. Fellows are chosen via a competitive application process and each class includes representatives from each of the thirteen states in the ARC footprint to reflect the region’s diverse economic development challenges, opportunities, and strategies.

Participation in this program will empower fellows to take action toward positively impacting the future of Appalachia with collaborative solutions to our Region’s greatest challenges. Fellows will learn to: 

• Identify and implement best practices and strategies to inspire positive change in their communities; 
• Build a robust network of leaders across the Appalachia; 
• Integrate community assets into long-last economic development strategies; and  
• Appreciate the diversity and commonalties of the 13 states in the Appalachian Region.   

The Appalachian Leadership Institute includes:

• Travel and participation cost to attend all sessions;
• Appalachian Leadership Institute Certificate from the Appalachian Regional Commission and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; and
• Access to a world class network of peers and other experts across Appalachia.