MARIETTA, OHIO — Washington State College of Ohio (WSCO) is thrilled to announce that it is part of the Appalachian Educator EmPOWERment Consortium, a collaborative initiative awarded $1.75 million by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) through its POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative. This grant is part of a $68.2 million award package supporting 65 projects across 188 coal-impacted counties to promote economic revitalization and workforce development in Appalachia.
The Appalachian Educator EmPOWERment Consortium, led by Ohio Valley Educational Service Center (ESC), brings together East Central Ohio ESC, Franklin University, Muskingum Valley ESC, Muskingum University, Washington State College of Ohio, and Zane State College. The goal of this consortium is to train and retain skilled educators to address the teacher shortage in coal-impacted communities in southeastern Ohio.
“We are proud to work alongside partners across the region to make meaningful strides in addressing the teacher shortage and enhancing educational opportunities in our communities, “said Dr. Jona Rinard, Dean of Technology and Transfer at WSCO. “This funding allows us to better support our students’ career goals while also contributing to the economic vitality of our region.”
The ARC POWER initiative directs federal resources toward diversifying economies in communities impacted by job losses from coal mining, coal power operations, and related industries. With ARC’s support, the Appalachian Educator EmPOWERment Consortium will offer training programs designed to attract new educators to the field and retain those already serving in the region, ultimately bolstering the local workforce and economy.
Since the POWER initiative’s inception in 2015, ARC has invested over $484.7 million in 564 projects across Appalachia, helping to create or retain nearly 54,000 jobs and prepare nearly 170,000 workers and students for new opportunities in industries such as entrepreneurship, broadband, tourism, and education.
WSCO’s Education Transfer program is a natural fit within the ARC POWER grant’s objectives, as it prepares students for careers in education with a focus on addressing the teacher shortage in southeastern Ohio. This funding will allow WSCO to expand resources and improve training opportunities for aspiring educators.
“The Education Transfer program at WSCO is dedicated to helping students move forward in their pursuit of a teaching career, from gaining the qualifications needed for educational aide roles to preparing for teacher licensure,” said Rinard. “With the support of the ARC POWER grant, we’re able to enhance our program by providing more robust training and opportunities for hands-on experience, ensuring that our students are fully prepared to meet the growing demand for educators in our region.”
For more information about the Appalachian Regional Commission’s POWER initiative, please visit arc.gov/grants-and-opportunities/power/.
Applications are due by March 14. Education students who have graduated from WSCO’s program or are set to graduate are eligible. To apply now, please visit ovesc.org/appalachian-educator-empowerment-consortium-accepting-apprenticeship-applications-beginning-january-21-2025/.
