Flagship of Appalachia

ETSU Brand

Key Differentiators 

 

1. Arts and Culture  

Key Messages:  

  • ETSU is a leader in preserving and promoting Appalachian arts and culture.  
  • Our programs offer educational and creative opportunities unique to the region.  

Talking Points:  

  • ETSU houses the world’s top – and first – academic bluegrass program.  
  • The Center of Excellence for Appalachian Studies and Services includes the Reece Museum and the Archives of Appalachia, housing tens of thousands of artifacts preserving and celebrating Appalachian history and culture.  

Success Stories:  

  • The Raleigh (NC) News and Observer called ETSU’s bluegrass program “the gold standard of collegiate bluegrass programs.”  
  • Students and faculty have produced award-winning publications, recordings, and the Encyclopedia of Appalachia.  

Impact Statistics:  

  • More than 360 music award nominations and over 170 wins, including 6 Grammys.  
  • The Center administers over $700,000 in external grants annually.  

 

2. Sustainable Development  

Key Messages:  

  • ETSU is committed to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.  
  • ETSU programs focus on innovative solutions for regional and global environmental challenges.  
  • ETSU is home to the State Climate Office for the entire state of Tennessee, meaning the university plays an outsized role in climate research.  

Talking Points:  

  • The Department of Appalachian Studies integrates sustainability into its curriculum.  
  • ETSU engages in comparative mountain studies, including projects in the Carpathian Mountains and Ecuador.  
  • The Department of Biological Sciences now offers an undergraduate concentration in Natural Resource Ecology that specifically focuses on conservation in Southern Appalachia.  
  • The 2024 Appalachian Highlands Supply Chain and Digital Technology Summit included sessions on sustainability practices.   
  • Tennessee’s official climate office is one of only nine such sites in the nation selected for a pilot funding proposal aimed at helping communities better understand and utilize climate data and resources to address long-term extreme weather vulnerabilities.    

Success Stories:  

  • ETSU’s environmental studies program provides hands-on learning experiences in sustainable practices.  
  • Collaborations with international universities promote sustainable development education.  

Impact Statistics:  

  • Significant external funding for sustainability projects, including comparative mountain studies.  
  • High student engagement in environmental studies and sustainability initiatives.  

 

3. Service 

Key Messages:  

  • ETSU programs address critical needs in education, health, and economic development.  

Talking Points:  

  • The Clemmer College of Education and Human Development focuses on workforce development and education for Appalachian communities.  
  • The College of Business and Technology’s VITA program provides free tax preparation for economically challenged families.  
  • Project EARTH, hosted at the ETSU/Eastman Valleybrook Campus, is a one-of-a-kind, state-of-the-art public health simulation laboratory for College of Public Health students. 
  • The College of Public Health won the nationally competitive 2024 Harrison C. Spencer Award for Outstanding Community Service.   
  • The College of Business and Technology hosts annual events for free that are open to the community including the Appalachian Highlands Supply Chain and Digital Technology Summitt, as well as the Appalachian Highlands Economic Forum. 
  • The College of Business and Technology’s department of Economic and Finance publishes the Appalachian Highlands Economic Update quarterly, which discusses regional labor and employment figures, housing, and an overview of financial markets. 

Success Stories:  

  • ETSU Health provides significant uncompensated care to the region.  

Impact Statistics:  

  • Over 83% of Clemmer students are from Appalachia.  
  • VITA program served more than 650 local families in the past five years.  

 

4. Research 

Key Messages:   

  • ETSU’s interdisciplinary approach brings together experts to address regional challenges.  

Talking Points:  

  • The Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative partners with the Appalachian Regional Commission for impactful research.  
  • ETSU’s research grants focus on diverse areas including education, health, environment, and technology. On this front, the Center for Rural Health and Research and the ETSU/NORC Rural Health Equity Research Center are critical.   
  • ETSU produces quarterly economic reports that shed important light on the Appalachian labor force, housing marketing, and more.    

Success Stories:  

  • Faculty research includes significant contributions to rural education, environmental issues, and health. 

Impact Statistics:  

  • The Center of Excellence for Appalachian Studies and Service administers over $700,000 in external grants annually.  
  • Significant funding for research projects, including a $5.69 million grant for rural areas in 2023.  
  • The College of Public Health administers over $7 million in funded grants every year, focusing on key health challenges in Appalachia, including the opioid epidemic, women’s health issues, and rural health challenges. 

 

5. Health Care

Key Messages:  

  • ETSU Health is a cornerstone of medical education and health care in the Appalachian region.  
  • ETSU is a national leader in programs and research emphasizing rural health and service to underserved populations.  
  • ETSU houses five health colleges that provide a wide range of training, research and community service across multiple disciplines. 

Talking Points:  

  • Quillen College of Medicine has over 900 trained physicians practicing in the region.  
  • ETSU Health’s surgical simulation suite offers cutting-edge training.  
  • ETSU’s Quillen College of Medicine offers EQUIP (Extending Quillen to the Underserved through Integrated Program), an initiative that identifies and mentors students to become physicians committed to rural and underserved medicine.  
  • Dean Randy Wykoff is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Appalachian Health.  

Success Stories:  

  • Quillen College of Medicine ranked inside the top five of this year’s U.S. News and World Report rankings of medical schools with the most graduates practicing in health professional shortage areas.     
  • Significant contributions to uncompensated care in the region.  
  • The College of Public Health is one of only three schools, nationally that have won the Delta Omega Award for Innovative Curriculum more than once. 

Impact Statistics:  

  • Quillen cares for the region, with about 370,000 patient visits each year.

 

6. Education 

Key Messages:  

  • ETSU offers robust educational programs that prepare students for diverse careers.  
  • ETSU’s commitment to accessible education is evident in the wide range of programs and support services.  

Talking Points:  

  • ETSU is the only state university with a dedicated Appalachian studies department.  
  • The Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance (TECTA) is a statewide system that provides affordable professional development for the state’s early childhood education personnel.  
  • Comprehensive programs in education, including undergraduate and graduate degrees in Appalachian studies and related fields.  
  • ETSU and the Clemmer College of Education and Human Development launch the Center for Rural Education and Development. 

Success Stories:  

  • High out-of-state enrollment in Appalachian studies, with students from multiple countries.  
  • Significant scholarship support for Appalachian students. 
  • With over 45 education partners, ETSU is a leader in high-quality educator and educational leader preparation.  

Impact Statistics:  

  • Over 94% of undergraduate education majors are from Appalachia.  
  • $143,000 in scholarships awarded to Clemmer students in the 2023-24 academic year.  
  • ETSU alumna Missy Testerman, a graduate of the Clemmer College of Education and Human Development, won National Teacher of the Year in 2024.   

 

7. Well-Being and Appalachian Thriving 

Key Messages:  

  • ETSU is committed to enhancing the well-being and quality of life in the Appalachian region.  
  • ETSU initiatives focus on health, education, and community development.  

Talking Points:  

  • ETSU’s health programs address critical needs in rural health care.  
  • Educational initiatives support the development of a skilled workforce in the region.  

Success Stories:  

  • Access ETSU program enhances academic and social skills for young adults with intellectual disabilities.  
  • Significant contributions to mental health support through the PEACEFUL program.  
  • ETSU’s Strong BRAIN institute is a leading partner in supporing trauma and resilience informed practices. 

Impact Statistics:  

  • Over $3,517,673 in teaching grants supporting special education and mental health initiatives.  
  • Comprehensive early childhood and elementary education programs with high regional participation.