Kate Pieratt: Abstract

This study looks at how Berea College, a small liberal arts college at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in eastern Kentucky, is contributing to the shrinkage of brain drain, or the mass migration of the workforce from the Appalachian Mountain region to larger cities and metropolitan areas in search of greater economic opportunities, through the programming efforts of the Loyal Jones Appalachian Center. Berea has dedicated much of its efforts to admitting underprivileged mountain youth through the concept of sponsored mobility. Cultural heritage and pride in institutional identity is also a focal point of Berea’s mission. Concluding remarks include suggestions for improvement of the Appalachian Center’s success at promoting cultural diversity awareness.