Participation Type
Panel
Session Title
Session 3.18 Tourism and Development
Presentation #1 Title
Appalachian Teaching Project: Sustaining the Community Mind for Long-term Community Resiliency: Appalachian Values Assessment in Floyd County, Virginia
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Floyd County Virginia’s Land Policy Task Force found that “What Matters Most” to Floyd County residents was “preservation of rural character, Appalachian heritage, and community identity.” This Appalachian Teaching Project (ATP) is researching what residents want to preserve and studying perceptions of potential threats to those values. Recent social science research has highlighted “narrative” and the identification of “core values” as critical elements that help sustain communities affected by cultural and economic change and persistent negative stereotyping. Better understanding Floyd County’s history and heritage (and defining what residents mean by that) will buttress a foundation for a positive trajectory. In the words of the Floyd County Development Director, “it would allow for going beyond simply reacting to outside stressors as they arise. From a land planning and economic perspective, it would be valuable to know these answers.” The Project and the course in which it is embedded is teaching student researchers the skills to become more effective community leaders who understand the importance of community values. As globalization and culture change continue apace in the region, long-term sustainability requires sophisticated culturally-aware leadership with the skills to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their communities and to predict the effects of changes. These future leaders will “strengthen the capacity of Appalachian people to compete in the global economy,” in the words of the ATP sponsor, the Appalachian Regional Commission.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Melinda Bollar Wagner is a professor of Anthropology and Appalachian Studies at Radford University. She is a past president of the Appalachian Studies Association.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Kasey Campbell is a senior at Radford University, studying sociology, psychology, and women's studies. She also is a research assistant in Radford's Center for Social and Cultural Research, and served as an assistant for this Appalachian Teaching Project.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Charles Salyers is a senior at Radford University, studying religion, business management, sociology, and anthropological sciences.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #4
Haley Stewart is a senior at Radford University, studying recreation, parks, and tourism, and minoring in Appalachian Studies.
Victoria Curtis is a junior at Radford University majoring in social science education and minoring in Appalachian Studies.
Langley Looney is a senior at Radford University, studying business management and history.
Taylor LaPrade is a junior at Radford University, studying social science and history, with a minor in Appalachian Studies.
Sarah Wood is a criminal justice and sociology major in her senior year at Radford University. Sarah has minors in Appalachian Studies and Women's Studies.
Ryan Woodson is a senior at Radford University, with a major in communications.
Appalachian Teaching Project: Sustaining the Community Mind for Long-term Community Resiliency: Appalachian Values Assessment in Floyd County, Virginia
Corbly Hall 117
Floyd County Virginia’s Land Policy Task Force found that “What Matters Most” to Floyd County residents was “preservation of rural character, Appalachian heritage, and community identity.” This Appalachian Teaching Project (ATP) is researching what residents want to preserve and studying perceptions of potential threats to those values. Recent social science research has highlighted “narrative” and the identification of “core values” as critical elements that help sustain communities affected by cultural and economic change and persistent negative stereotyping. Better understanding Floyd County’s history and heritage (and defining what residents mean by that) will buttress a foundation for a positive trajectory. In the words of the Floyd County Development Director, “it would allow for going beyond simply reacting to outside stressors as they arise. From a land planning and economic perspective, it would be valuable to know these answers.” The Project and the course in which it is embedded is teaching student researchers the skills to become more effective community leaders who understand the importance of community values. As globalization and culture change continue apace in the region, long-term sustainability requires sophisticated culturally-aware leadership with the skills to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their communities and to predict the effects of changes. These future leaders will “strengthen the capacity of Appalachian people to compete in the global economy,” in the words of the ATP sponsor, the Appalachian Regional Commission.
