The group was among 130 students from 13 colleges and universities in 10 Appalachian states participating in the 23rd annual Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative (ACRI).

A group of students from East Tennessee State University recently presented a capstone research project in the nation’s capital, examining intersections between economic development and health disparities within underserved and historically Black communities in Washington County, Tennessee.  

The group was among 130 students from 13 colleges and universities in 10 Appalachian states participating in the 23rd annual Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative (ACRI). Sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), the ACRI capstone symposium is organized by the Center of Excellence for Appalachian Studies and Services at ETSU. 

The findings presented by students from ETSU’s Department of Appalachian Studies are from the second year of a continuing research project conducted through an “Appalachian Community Engagement” graduate course taught by Dr. Rebecca Adkins Fletcher. Students involved in this year’s research include Patrick Cooley, Lydia Hamby, Stacey Horton, Erasmus Sackey, Heath Stiltner, E.J. Swatsell and Rick Wallace.  

The project is in partnership with the Langston Centre Health Equity Task Force in Johnson City and seeks to establish economic sustainability through health ministries in Black churches within Appalachia. 

“Our class partnership with the Langston Centre Health Equity Task Force is amazing,” Fletcher said.  “The students learned so much about the importance of listening first to what people need and what they are already doing to make changes in the community. Then, working alongside them, we are taking the slow steps toward larger transformations and better health care access.”  

Schools participating in the ACRI capstone symposium offer a for-credit seminar during the fall semester to help students develop and execute field-based research projects that address the unique economic development needs of their communities and align with ARC’s investment priorities. 

“Appalachia’s young leaders play an integral role in our region’s future success through their hard work, optimism and willingness to collaborate,” ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin said. “I’m impressed by the forward-thinking young leaders who participated in this year’s Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative and am excited to see the ways they will continue to positively impact their own futures and economic development throughout Appalachia’s 13 states.” 

“It is a great privilege for our Center to administer the Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative, and I am grateful for the ARC’s continued support,” said Dr. Ron Roach, director of the Center of Excellence and principal investigator for the ACRI grant. “This unique program has connected hundreds of college students with Appalachian communities, giving them invaluable experience in community engagement and leadership.” 


ETSU’s students are among more than 3,000 college and graduate students from 31 colleges and universities across Appalachia who have participated in the ACRI capstone symposium since it was established in 2001 as the Appalachian Teaching Project. ETSU’s Center of Excellence has administered the ACRI grant throughout its 23 years of existence. 

East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practices. The university also boasts nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computing, and media studies. ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation for students graduating with the least amount of debt.

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