On October 3rd through October 5th, I embarked on an adventure with The University of Pittsburgh’s Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative (ACRI) cohort to Fayette County, Pennsylvania. This trip is part of the ongoing 10-year commitment and collaboration between the University of Pittsburgh and the Fayette County Cultural Trust. I was particularly excited about this trip,…
Author: Chance Christopher Thomas
Fayette County: A Neighbor a World Away – Final Reflections
At the beginning of the Fall semester of 2024, I was presented with an incredible opportunity to deepen my knowledge about Appalachia through a unique learning experience that integrated academic study with practical community involvement. This initiative was made possible through an inspiring collaboration between the University of Pittsburgh and the Fayette County Cultural Trust….
Our Commitment to the Community: Fayette County Presentation
Friday December 6th, 2025, The University of Pittsburgh’s Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative (ACRI) cohort comprised of (Urban Studies, Sustainability, Political Science and Business) returned to Fayette County to present our final deliverables to the community. In our continued partnership with the Fayette Country Cultural Trust, these findings we presented to the community members as well…
ACRI: Co-Creating Knowledge in Appalachia
Did you know that Pittsburgh is considered to be the Paris of Appalachia? I guess that makes the Cathedral of Learning our Eiffel Tower. Maybe that’s why Pittsburghers put French fries on salads! Welcome! I am Chance Thomas, a junior majoring in Social Work, pursuing a minor in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, and possibly…