Hutter-Thomas named Appalachian Leadership Institute Fellow by Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission has selected Stephanie Hutter-Thomas, Ph.D., to participate in the 2023-24 class of the Appalachian Leadership Institute. Hutter-Thomas is director for the Buprenorphine Implementation Research and Community Health (BIRCH) project in the West Virginia University School of Medicine Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry.
The Institute is a leadership and economic development training opportunity designed for individuals who live and/or work across Appalachia and have a passion for helping their communities thrive. The 2023-24 class of 40 fellows, who represent a variety of perspectives and sectors, including tourism, healthcare, education and civil service, will participate in an extensive training curriculum that includes skill-building seminars and best practice reviews.
“I feel incredibly honored to have been selected for this meaningful opportunity,” Hutter-Thomas said. “As a native to Appalachia, I have felt compelled to use my skills and my voice to advocate for positive change in our region. This learning opportunity will provide me with resources and expand my network, while simultaneously allowing me to experience the good work that other Appalachian states are doing. It will no doubt be inspiring.”
Throughout the nine-month program, Hutter-Thomas and the 39 additional fellows will attend six field visit sessions across Appalachia leading up to a capstone graduation event in Washington, D.C. The fellows will learn to:
- Design effective economic development project proposals
- Integrate community assets into long-term economic development strategies
- Identify resources available to spark economic and community development
- Locate and access investment capital from a variety of public and private sources
- Prepare competitive applications for public grant opportunities
- Use expanded connections and leadership skills to create strong regional partnerships
After completing the program, Hutter-Thomas will become part of the Appalachian Leadership Institute Alumni Network, which helps foster collaborative solutions to build a stronger future for Appalachia.
About the Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is an economic development partnership entity of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia.
-WVU-
co/10/6/23