TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Appalachian Regional Commission has named Stillman College Executive Vice President Derrick C. Gilmore to its 2021-2022 class of the Appalachian Leadership Institute.
The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 420 counties across the Appalachian Region. As an Appalachian Leadership Institute Fellow, Gilmore will participate in an extensive, nine-month series of skill-building seminars featuring regional experts, peer-to-peer learning, and case study analysis. The program begins virtually in October and culminates with the Class of 2021-2022’s graduation in July 2022.
“Having the opportunity to participate with an organization like ARC, which has strong support from the federal government, will provide invaluable insight into federal policy development that supports the civic, social and economic initiatives that drive innovation, entrepreneurship and education,” Gilmore said. “This fellowship will help shape Stillman College be a better partner with local service and economic development agencies in the City of Tuscaloosa and the State of Alabama, and to better understand and address the challenges presented to our citizens.”
Gilmore will work directly with public policy, community development, education, investment, and other professionals who live and/or work in the Region to:
- Identify and implement best practices and strategies to inspire positive change in their communities;
- Build a robust network of leaders across the Region;
- Integrate community assets into long-last economic development strategies; and
- Appreciate the diversity and commonalties of the 13 states in the Appalachian Region.
Upon completion of the program, Gilmore will automatically become part of the Appalachian Leadership Institute Network, a peer-to-peer working group committed to Appalachia’s future.
Gilmore was selected via a competitive application process. ARC received more than 115 qualified applications for the 2021-2022 Appalachian Leadership Institute class.
“These phenomenal Appalachians are the driving force of change in their communities,” said Gayle Manchin, ARC federal co-chair. “The work of this new class of fellows – and the ones who came before – gives me hope to the future of our region and is a testament to all that can be accomplished when Appalachians work together.”
ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the Region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. Its Appalachian Leadership Institute is a comprehensive regional leadership training program developed in partnership with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; The Howard H. Baker Center for Public Policy; Tuskegee University; and Collective Impact.
