Hello everyone! My name is Owen, and I’m currently a Junior at the Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. I’m majoring in Industrial Engineering with a Pre-Dental focus, and I’m also pursuing a Leadership certificate. On campus, I serve as a Resident Assistant in Tower A, lead as the president of the Blood Initiative at Pitt, and actively participate in several other student organizations. I’m originally from a small, rural town called Wellsboro, Pennsylvania—famously known as the PA Grand Canyon.
Fun Fact: I went to India last summer, which was my first time abroad!
The Fayette County Cultural Trust is a nonprofit organization dedicated to boosting economic development and enhancing the quality of life in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. They provide grants and funding to support local cultural and artistic events, preserve the county’s rich history, and help grow businesses. The University of Pittsburgh has made a 10-year commitment to the Fayette County Cultural Trust, signifying its dedication to creating long-lasting change and providing students with invaluable hands-on experience. While students may come and go, the university’s ongoing commitment ensures that Fayette County continues to thrive.
A key initiative led by the Fayette County Cultural Trust is the Downtown Connellsville Initiative, which promotes local history, tourism, and the arts. This initiative recognizes that tourism plays a crucial role in Connellsville’s economy, as it does in many small towns. The projects range from public art installations—like murals that highlight the town’s history—to the creation of the Connellsville Canteen, a museum and restaurant designed to resemble an 1800s-style train station. The museum honors over 800 volunteer women who served 600,000 troops and features a renowned model railroad display. All these initiatives are designed to harness Connellsville’s natural beauty and historical heritage to boost tourism and foster community pride.
The Trust supports initiatives that engage young people in Fayette County through arts, history, and cultural education. This includes partnerships with local schools to offer students hands-on experiences in cultural and economic projects, as well as leadership and internship opportunities for college students.
Furthermore, there is a project called Connellsville Crossroads that aims to preserve Connellsville’s historic identity while preparing the town for future growth. It focuses on making the community more attractive to visitors, and making Connellsville into a key stop for tourists traveling along the Great Allegheny Passage.
The Appalachian College Research Initiative (ACRI) holds a special place in my heart. I believe that small towns like mine are often overlooked, while cities thrive economically and culturally. This initiative aims to bring economic opportunity and cultural enrichment to smaller towns, helping them grow and flourish. Through this project, I hope to make a meaningful contribution to Fayette County while gaining invaluable life experience beyond the academic world.
Academically and professionally, I have many goals—but only one life to live—so I must choose my path carefully. Right now, I envision going to dental school and returning to my hometown to open a practice. Along with that, I aim to drive economic growth in my community by supporting local businesses and eventually taking on a leadership role in local government. Within the next few years, I plan to start research similar to this project in my hometown, using grants to provide resources to community members. Wellsboro, like many rural areas, is part of the “brain drain” phenomenon, where young people leave for college and rarely return. My goal is to reverse this trend by creating opportunities that encourage younger generations to stay and invest in their community.
In this project, I’m particularly excited about the opportunity to contribute to the business administration side. We’ll be developing a community-focused “course,” which aligns perfectly with my passion for creating online resources and tools to help others. This project resonates deeply with me because it’s all about giving back to the people I care about. I’ve seen firsthand how limited opportunities can negatively affect families, students, and the elderly in my community, and it’s disheartening to know that so much potential remains untapped. My goal is to return to my hometown and share these new opportunities with others, especially those who haven’t had the same privileges that I’ve had.
I’m confident that this project will equip me with a wide range of transferable skills. First and foremost, it requires self-initiative—nothing is handed to us. Although we have research from previous years to build on, we must also connect with community members and other stakeholders to learn how we can make the greatest impact. In contrast to traditional academic settings, where tasks are often laid out for us, this project demands that we help create the framework and then execute it.
Time management will also be critical. We only meet for one hour in class and one hour with our group each week, but there’s much more work required outside of those meetings. I’m learning the importance of planning and sticking to deadlines—this is not a project I can procrastinate on and still succeed.
Effective communication is another key component. We need to interpret past research and understand what was being communicated, both to the community and to us as future students. Additionally, we’ll be working closely with the Fayette County Cultural Trust and community members, so we must be clear and consistent in our communication to ensure that the project continues to evolve and succeed after we finish.
Advocacy for other people and their communities past words. We will learn to engage and listen to local residents, build trust through relationships with community members and decision-makers, which is essential for raising awareness and mobilizing support. We will also learn more about policy and how influencing local policy changes the way that a community is able to flourish. Ensuring that our work aligns with the broader needs of the community. Advocacy also involves empowering the community itself, helping residents take ownership of initiatives and ensuring that progress is sustainable, so with that respect we will learn how to truly lead, which I believe is the ability to empower other to do what they are called to do. Additionally, we will gain experience advocating for resources, such as securing grants and funding, to bring these initiatives to life. Ultimately, these experiences will make us more effective leaders and community advocates.
Long-term thinking as well as sustainability. I have never been challenged in a class to think about how this lab or homework would affect a community or individual 10 years from now, which gives this class a very unique perspective. We aren’t able to just think about what would be the easiest option; we have to factor in the longevity of not only the project but the community as a whole.
Lastly, working in a cross-disciplinary team is a significant “real-world” experience. This project brings together students from four different schools, each with their own unique perspectives, as well as community members, faculty, and nonprofit leaders. Balancing diverse ideas and priorities—especially those of the local community—while bringing our own expertise to the table is a challenge, but one that will help us grow. Collaboration in this setting is about more than just academic success; it’s about understanding people, their emotions, and their needs. That, to me, is one of the most valuable skills we’ll develop.
With the wealth of skills we have the opportunity to develop, we are truly fortunate to work alongside dedicated faculty and experienced community mentors. Their guidance provides us with invaluable insights and support, enhancing our learning experience in ways we could never achieve on our own. These mentors bring a depth of knowledge and expertise that not only helps us navigate the challenges of our projects but also inspires us to think critically and creatively.
As we collaborate with them, we gain access to real-world perspectives that enrich our understanding of community needs and effective advocacy strategies. Their encouragement fosters an environment where we feel comfortable asking questions, exploring new ideas, and pushing our boundaries. This collaborative dynamic allows us to learn from their experiences, including the successes and setbacks they’ve encountered throughout their careers.
Moreover, having such a supportive network empowers us to tackle complex issues with confidence. We can draw upon their wisdom to inform our decision-making processes, making our contributions to the community more impactful. As we develop these skills and insights, we not only enhance our own growth but also strengthen our ability to effect positive change in our community. In essence, the mentorship we receive is a crucial element of our journey, transforming our educational experience into a shared endeavor that extends far beyond our individual efforts.
In conclusion, this project is more than just an academic endeavor—it’s an opportunity to merge my passions for community development, leadership, and service. Through my involvement with the Fayette County Cultural Trust and the Appalachian College Research Initiative, I am gaining invaluable experience in nonprofit management, economic development, and community engagement. These skills will not only help me in my future career as a dental professional but also in my personal mission to drive meaningful change in small, underserved towns like my own. By collaborating with diverse teams and community members, I am learning how to navigate complex challenges, communicate effectively, and take initiative—skills that will serve me well in any path I choose. Ultimately, this experience is shaping me into a leader who is not only equipped to succeed in my chosen career but also committed to giving back and making a lasting difference where it’s needed most.