The Appalachian Leadership Institute 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 and/or work in Appalachia and are passionate about helping their communities thrive, the extensive leadership and economic development curriculum is developed by ARC in partnership with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; The Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs; Tuskegee University; and Collective Impact, LLC.
Investing in the Appalachian Leaders
Application Information
Applications for the 2024-2025 Appalachian Leadership Institute Class are now open. Learn more about the application process here and apply by June 1, 2024.
The Future of Appalachia: Class of 2023-2024
The current class of 40 fellows represent a spectrum of sectors, experiences, and communities from across Appalachia’s 13 states. Each fellow brings a unique perspective on Appalachia’s diverse economic developmental challenges and opportunities.
2024-2025 Schedule
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.
Meet Our Partners
The Appalachian Leadership Institute is a comprehensive regional leadership training program developed by the Appalachian Regional Commission in partnership with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; The Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs; Tuskegee University; and Collective Impact, LLC.
About the Program
The Appalachian Leadership Institute is an all-inclusive program – there is not cost to participants. 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.
The Appalachian Leadership Institute is a close-knit program limited to 40 fellows each year, with participants from each of the 13 states in Appalachia. Fellows may be from the public, private, or non-profit sectors.
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 diversity and shared experiences of Appalachians.
Appalachian Leadership Institute fellows recieve:
- No-cost participation, including travel and lodging.
- Appalachian Leadership Institute Certificate from the Appalachian Regional Commission and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
- Access to a world class network of peers and other experts across Appalachia.
Contact Us
Contact us by phone at 202.884.7700 or via email at leadership@arc.gov.