$1.75M Grant Empowers Franklin University to Transform Education in Coal-Impacted Communities

Contact:

Sherry Mercurio
Executive Director, Office of Community Relations
(614) 947-6581
Email: sherry.mercurio@franklin.edu

Franklin University, one of the leading educators of working adults, is proud to be selected to spearhead a transformative initiative to tackle the critical educator shortage in southeastern Ohio’s coal-impacted communities. As a key partner in the Appalachian Educator EmPOWERment Consortium, Franklin will utilize a $1.75 million grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to impact teacher training and retention in the region.

The consortium, led by Ohio Valley ESC and including partners such as East Central Ohio ESC, Muskingum Valley ESC, Muskingum University, Washington State College of Ohio, and Zane State College, will utilize this funding to address the growing educator shortage in the region. Franklin University’s School of Education, known for its commitment to preparing educators for high-demand teaching careers, will play a critical role in developing effective, sustainable educational pathways. “Being part of this initiative directly aligns with Franklin University’s mission to empower working adults and prepare them for impactful careers,” said Dr. Patrick Bennett, vice president for Academic Quality and Planning, dean of School of Education, and International Institute for Innovative Instruction, Franklin University. “Through Franklin’s School of Education, we are committed to helping to create a sustainable pipeline of skilled educators in these Appalachian communities, ensuring students in underserved areas have access to quality education.”

This funding is part of ARC’s $68.2 million award package supporting 65 projects in 188 coal-impacted counties through its POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative. The initiative helps diversify Appalachian economies affected by declines in the coal industry. Since its inception in 2015, POWER has invested over $484.7 million in economic development, helping create or retain nearly 54,000 jobs and preparing nearly 170,000 workers and students for new career opportunities.

"ARC’s decision to award this funding to the Appalachian Educator EmPOWERment Consortium will greatly enhance the training and retention of educators in Ohio’s coal-impacted communities,” said Dalton Summers, Superintendent of the Ohio Valley Educational Service Center. "I’m proud that this consortium is helping our local communities recognize the educator shortage in Appalachian Ohio and address it with a unique solution. These federal funds will improve the quality of life in the region by creating a clear, affordable pathway from the classroom to a career in the in-demand field of education."

About Franklin University’s School of Education:
Franklin University's School of Education is dedicated to developing innovative, flexible programs that prepare future educators for the challenges of today’s classroom. Offering a range of licensure and non-licensure pathways, the School focuses on practical, real-world training that equips teachers with the tools to succeed in a variety of educational settings. Through partnerships with educational service centers and school districts, the School of Education ensures that its graduates are ready to meet the needs of diverse learners.

For more information, visit www.franklin.edu/degrees/colleges/school-of-education.

About the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC):
The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development partnership entity of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia.

About Franklin University

Accredited, nonprofit, and dedicated to educating adults since 1902, Franklin provides onsite course options at our Main Campus in downtown Columbus, Ohio, and is an innovator in providing personalized online education. The University offers applied in-demand undergraduate, masters, and doctorate programs that enable adult learners to achieve their educational and professional goals. Through agreements with partner institutions, the University also offers international academic programs, including its top-ranked MBA.

Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds specialized accreditations for specific academic programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education. The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Franklin University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE).