I worked on a team with two other Pitt students, Kayla and Maggie, within the larger Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative cohort throughout this semester. My team members and I worked on this initiative as our project for the Sustainability Capstone class. This project was no easy feat and it required extensive communication and hard work, but it was an incredibly rewarding experience. We were able to create several final deliverables that have the potential to foster economic development in Fayette County.
First, we conducted education-focused focus groups at two high schools in Fayette County. The objective was to enhance our understanding of existing education and career preparation programs, identify students’ career interests, and discern overall post-graduation trends. We visited Laurel Highlands and Uniontown Area High Schools and spoke with faculty, staff, and students. From these meetings, we learned that a significant obstacle to students’ success after graduation is limited awareness of the diverse career possibilities available to them, particularly within the region. Our plan to combat this involves forging connections between Fayette County high school students and University of Pittsburgh students and faculty. These interactions will take place both in person and virtually. We hope to expose high school students to various fields of study and potential career paths. Additionally, we aim to spotlight local professionals in Fayette County, sharing their success stories and career trajectories. Our overarching goal is to empower high school students with essential tools and information that will foster workforce development, mitigate unemployment, inspire entrepreneurship, retain local talent, and promote economic diversity in the county. This investment in their future not only benefits individuals but also lays the foundation for a resilient and thriving local economy, ultimately contributing to the overall prosperity of the community. If I could see one of our goals implemented immediately, it would be this one as the other two have already been accomplished.
Second, we took over the Celebrate Uniontown proposal from last year’s cohort of Pitt students who worked on the Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative. This group of students took note of the pride among Uniontown, Pennsylvania residents, but they noticed that there was no centralized sense of pride or way for these residents to connect with their community. To foster this centralized sense of community pride, they established the Celebrate Uniontown proposal which aims to promote, celebrate, and improve upon the existing community of Uniontown through social media programming. This initiative has been handed over to us and our focus this year is on collaborating with the Uniontown Area High School student interns, Dominic and Delaney, to create new content for Uniontown social media pages. These students are responsible for the content on the Uniontown PA Instagram page. They’ve done an amazing job posting about community events as well as posting interviews with community members at these events. Dominic and Delaney are also working with us to connect Fayette County high schoolers with Pitt students and faculty, as mentioned above. We’re very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with such great students who are so involved in their community. Our initial idea for new social media programming includes having the student interns continue sharing upcoming community events and also begin sharing the stories of local businesses and professionals to showcase their contributions to the community. By doing this, we aspire to enhance community engagement and foster a deeper sense of pride and belonging among Uniontown residents.
Finally, we participated in the development and dissemination of a community survey tailored for Uniontown, Pennsylvania residents. Collaborating closely with our professor and two community leaders, we collectively crafted this survey to ensure its relevance and effectiveness. Sent out in early November, the survey has garnered an impressive response, exceeding 200 participant contributions. These responses shed light on the factors influencing individuals’ overall happiness and life satisfaction. Moreover, the feedback outlines the changes residents desire to see in their community. This invaluable information guides our efforts in Fayette County by aligning them with the aspirations and expectations of the community we aim to positively impact. Understanding the collective hopes of residents provides us with a meaningful framework for refining our initiatives and ensuring they resonate with the genuine needs and desires of the Uniontown community.
Participating in community-based research and engaging with the residents of Fayette County has afforded me a profound appreciation for the resilience and pride that characterize the local population. Despite the region’s formidable challenges, a palpable sense of community spirit prevails, and the individuals I encountered exhibited a sincere love for their hometown, flaws and all. Before visiting Fayette County, my expectations, based solely on limited research, led me to anticipate the county to be incredibly similar to the area where I grew up. After visiting, I can say that Fayette County is exactly like the environment I grew up in. Consequently, while my fundamental perceptions of the Appalachian region and Fayette County may not have undergone a radical shift, my involvement in this project has cultivated a much deeper appreciation for the intricacies of Appalachian communities. Initially sensing a familiarity with Fayette County due to its similarities to my upbringing, the hands-on experience enabled me to delve further into the nuances of the community. Meeting with residents and hearing their stories reinforced my understanding of the challenges they face and the strength of their communal bonds. This first-hand experience has enriched my perception of the region, going beyond preconceived notions and revealing the multifaceted nature of Fayette County.
If I were to summarize this experience to someone in the distant future, I would describe it as a profoundly rewarding and impactful chapter in my undergraduate career at the University of Pittsburgh. Not only did I get to contribute to a 10-year partnership between Pitt and Fayette County, but I also gained invaluable skills and knowledge and made memorable connections. What sets this project apart is its departure from the conventional focus on grades or specific class objectives. It transcended the ordinary academic framework, transforming into a pursuit with real-world implications. It wasn’t just about theoretical concepts but about learning how to address tangible challenges and contributing to something that genuinely matters. I believe that this project has the potential to bring about positive change in Fayette County. No disrespect to my other class projects, but this one holds a special place in my heart. I’m filled with gratitude for the opportunity to engage in this project. It has been an invaluable experience that significantly stands out when I reflect on my time at Pitt. The lessons learned, the skills honed, and the connections made have become an integral part of my academic and personal growth, leaving a mark on my undergraduate journey.
