Hi, my name is Liv Janes, and I have had the privilege of participating in year four of the University of Pittsburgh’s collaboration with the Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative (ACRI). The ACRI is an applied research seminar designed to support Appalachian development and strengthen local communities. The University of Pittsburgh is one of 13 schools participating in this initiative across the region. We are  partnered with the Fayette County Cultural Trust (FCCT), a local organization dedicated to community enrichment and preservation. While this is only year four of the program, the University of Pittsburgh has committed to a ten-year partnership, reflecting a deep investment in the long-term prosperity of Appalachian communities like Fayette County.

I am a member of the Political Science cohort within the larger research team composed of 4 different teams. This past Friday, we traveled to Fayette County to present the results of our semester-long research to community members. The event was held at the Connellsville Canteen, a truly remarkable venue that combines a restaurant and café with a World War II museum and an elaborate model train display. It was the perfect setting to connect with the community, reflecting both its vibrant history and its enduring character. Dan and Mike the owners of the Canteen have been very gracious to us in allowing us to use this space several times.

Each of the four research cohorts presented their findings, addressing a variety of critical issues that are currently affecting Fayette County. The Urban Studies cohort shared their analysis of the local tourism economy and their proposed strategies to expand its impact. They highlighted the potential for Fayette County to leverage its natural and cultural assets more effectively while ensuring the benefits of tourism are felt across the entire community, not just concentrated in specific areas. The Sustainability cohort focused on strengthening Uniontown’s local government, offering recommendations to I mprove transparency, efficiency, as well as, civic participation and engagement. Meanwhile, the Business cohort explored ways to enhance Fayette County’s Entrepreneurship and Education Center Program, emphasizing the importance of fostering local innovation and supporting small business growth through several different avenues. All groups provided solutions and what they hope for cohorts in the future to accomplish. This creates a great framework and resource for future cohorts to use in their research and deliverables.

As a member of the Political Science cohort, our primary focus was on promoting youth civic engagement within Fayette County along with conducting focus groups. We began by highlighting the county’s educational strengths, such as dual enrollment courses, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs, financial literacy initiatives, and college and career readiness resources. These assets are crucial for helping students develop the skills and knowledge needed to participate in civic life. However, we also addressed several significant challenges facing the county’s public schools, including chronic underfunding, staff shortages, unfunded mandates, and a lack of awareness about career opportunities among students.Especially in regards to jobs within the community. While we didn’t focus on lack of job awareness one of the deliverables from the business cohort was a proposed Fayette county job fair  Through surveys conducted with educators in Fayette County, we found that these issues severely limit their ability to provide comprehensive education, with limited resources emerging as the most common obstacle. This lead us to further research into what was causing, besides funding, these barriers and we found that the root of the issue was almost exclusively funding based.

In addition to these broader challenges, our research also focused on barriers specific to civic engagement education. Many of these barriers are tied to systemic issues such as insufficient funding, minimal government support, and a lack of resources dedicated to civic education. For example, our survey revealed that only 40% of educators believe the state government is actively promoting the well-being of their community, underscoring a significant gap in support. To address these challenges, we developed a series of actionable recommendations aimed at increasing youth engagement. These included organizing guest speaker events to educate students about the voting process, implementing voter registration simulations in schools, and expanding volunteer opportunities with local businesses and government offices to give students hands-on experience in civic participation. Additionally, we emphasized the importance of integrating civic education into the broader curriculum, ensuring students understand the impact of their voices and votes in shaping their communities. By fostering early engagement, we hope to inspire a new generation of active, and informed citizens.

Beyond youth engagement, we explored ways to strengthen the relationship between Fayette County schools and the University of Pittsburgh. During interviews with local educators, we discovered that most colleges visiting Fayette County high schools are out-of-state institutions. This presents a significant barrier for students, as out-of-state tuition is often prohibitively expensive. Our discussions with the University of Pittsburgh’s admissions office revealed that only 198 Fayette County students are currently enrolled in the university system (including branch campuses). To address this gap, we proposed several solutions, such as increasing on-site visits by Pitt representatives, creating scholarships specifically for Appalachian students, and fostering greater engagement between the university and local high schools. This would promote civic engagement by educating students on what civic engagement is and how they can participate in it within their community.

One of the immediate successes of our cohort’s efforts was establishing a partnership with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute through the University of Pittsburgh . We secured funding for FCCT’s first year of enrollment in the program, which provides virtual courses on topics ranging from art theft to Medicare to Irish nationalism. This program promotes civic engagement through education, making it accessible to all community members, especially older adults who might otherwise lack access to such opportunities. There is also an in-person option which is a class on Appalachian Politics taught by Dr. Kris Kanthak,

Looking ahead, our cohort plans to conduct focus groups with Fayette County residents to gather feedback and identify additional areas for improvement. These focus groups will involve educators, students, business owners, and community stakeholders and will address topics such as public education, local government, and the effectiveness of current civic engagement initiatives. We also hope to gather feedback about the University of Pittsburgh’s role in the community, ensuring that future cohorts continue to align their efforts with the needs and goals of Fayette County residents. This will help guide us in the correct direction in future groups work and even our continued work in the next semester

This experience was incredibly rewarding, both academically and personally. Presenting in a professional setting challenged me to grow, and I was inspired by the turnout and enthusiasm of community members. Hearing the insights and proposals from other cohorts further broadened my perspective, particularly the Urban Studies team’s emphasis on integrating tourists into local communities to maximize the benefits of Fayette County’s tourism economy.

If I could immediately implement one of our proposals, it would be to enhance the University of Pittsburgh’s engagement with Fayette County high schools. By fostering stronger connections between the university and local students, we could help empower the next generation of Appalachian leaders and create lasting, positive change in the region. The importance of higher education and civic engagement cannot be overstated, especially in a region like Appalachia, where access to resources and opportunities is often limited. Strengthening the relationship between local schools and universities like Pitt would give students a clearer path to higher education, while also encouraging them to become more involved in their communities and in the political process.

Additionally, I believe a greater focus on volunteerism and mentorship programs could help bridge the gap between education and real-world civic engagement. By connecting students with local leaders, organizations, and businesses, we can provide them with the tools and networks needed to drive positive change in their own communities. Volunteering not only helps students gain practical experience but also encourages a sense of responsibility and ownership over their local environments. It would be transformative for Fayette County and its youth to see the potential they have to shape the future of their communities. Through these efforts, we can not only address current challenges but also create a foundation for long-term, sustainable civic engagement in Appalachia.