Pikeville College students address retention issues at Collegiate Summit

By Sharon Dodson, The Center for Rural Development

PIKEVILLE, Ky. –To get a deeper look into issues in rural Kentucky that often lead students to leave the area, The Center for Rural Development’s Higher Education Consortium went to the source—today’s college students and the future leaders of Southern and Eastern Kentucky.

The Consortium invited student representatives from 14 Kentucky colleges and universities serving The Center’s 42-county primary service area and Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn., to come together at a regional summit on Friday, Sept. 18, for a candid discussion on issues contributing to the out-migration of many of the region’s best and brightest students.

Dressed in their school colors, Pikeville College students Tara Burchett and Casey Keathley met at The Center’s headquarters in Somerset to provide input on how to keep more future leaders in Southern and Eastern Kentucky.

“A prominent challenge facing young people in Eastern Kentucky is mindset,” Burchett said. “For this generation, growing up surrounded by drugs, poor lifestyle habits, and less-than-ideal economic conditions has enforced a negative perspective about the future.”

During the summit, participants were encouraged to freely share their thoughts and concerns and speak out on issues affecting student retention. Their input is critical toward the belief of keynote speaker U.S. Congressman “Hal” Rogers—and shared by The Center—that “no young person should have to leave home to find his or her future.”

“Our young people today face a new generation of resources and obstacles,” Rogers, who serves Kentucky’s Fifth Congressional District, said at a luncheon for the participants. “We need to know their concerns about issues like the economy, education, healthcare, technology, and jobs.

“Our college students,” he added, “have a wealth of new ideas for the future of Southern and Eastern Kentucky.”

The event, entitled “Project IDEAS” (Insight and Dialogue Engaging Appalachian Students), was funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).

Input shared by participants will be used to help the organization shape strategic planning toward retaining the region’s youth, according to Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center.

“As the current and future leaders of our local communities, state and nation,” Lawson said, “we wanted to capture their enthusiasm, thoughts, and insight on improving the quality of life in Southern and Eastern Kentucky.”

“We must work to assure that young adults have opportunities to receive a quality education near their homes,” Dr. Jo Marshall, co-chair of the The Center’s Higher Education Consortium and president of Somerset Community College, added. “As we improve the opportunities for educational accomplishments for them, we improve the chance that they will spend their adult years here.”

Former University of Kentucky basketball player J.P. Blevins also attended the event and spoke to students about how important it is for them to have goals, dreams and a vision for the future.

He shared his inspirational story with participants, challenging them to create a vision and “set their game up to win” through the recognition of their natural skills, talents and abilities.

“Being able to share with the best and brightest of our area is an opportunity that I do not take lightly,” Blevins said. “I understand the importance of retaining this kind of talent and challenge them to make a difference in the lives of their communities.”

Blevins, from rural Metcalfe County, realized his childhood dream in 1998 when he earned a spot on the University of Kentucky Wildcats basketball team and played four years under former head coach Orlando “Tubby” Smith.

Ideas and insight generated from the collegiate summit will also be shared with the region’s leaders and the ARC.

“Thanks to the ARC, a new line of communication opened today between our students and current leaders,” Rogers said. “Together, we hope to find solutions for immediate problems and those that could meet our students at retirement age.”

Attending the summit were representatives from Big Sandy Community and Technical College, University of Louisville, Somerset Community College, Alice Lloyd College, University of the Cumberlands, Campbellsville University, Morehead State University, Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, Lindsey Wilson College, Eastern Kentucky University, Union College, Pikeville College, Lincoln Memorial University, Hazard Community and Technical College and Berea College.

The Center for Rural Development—the Center of Excellence for rural Kentucky and the nation—provides economic and community development programs to residents in a 42-county primary service area of Southern and Eastern Kentucky, and is home to several statewide and national technology-based programs. For more information on programs available through The Center, visit www.centertech.com.

Student representatives from Pikeville College joined students from Kentucky colleges and universities at a Collegiate Summit on Sept. 18 at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Ky. hosted by The Center’s Higher Education Consortium. Those students included Tara Burchett, second from left, of Floyd County, and Casey Keathley, third from left, of Johnson County. Joining them are Lonnie Lawson, far left, president and CEO of The Center for Rural Development; U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, (KY-05), second from right; and former University of Kentucky basketball player J.P. Blevins, far right. Rogers and Blevins were keynote speakers at the event, which brought college students from across the region together to discuss issues contributing to the out-migration of some of the best and brightest in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. The summit was funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).