BSCTC President speaks at Aspire Appalachia Conference in Tennessee
Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC),
was a presenter at the Appalachian Region Commissions (ARC) Aspire Appalachia Conference
held on Wednesday, August 31 at the Millennium Centre.
The one-day event focused on collaborations in rural development.
You cannot do this alone, Dr. Stephenson told those in attendance. It takes collaboration,
motivation and an approach that focuses on results, not who gets the credit.
BSCTC, through collaboration with partners such as Shaping Our Appalachian Region
(SOAR), the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP), has received
national attention for its work in community, workforce and economic development in
some of the ARCs most distressed counties.
Dr. Stephenson highlighted the formation of the Interapt Coding Academy on the colleges
Mayo campus.
In 1938, this campus opened as one of the first technical schools of its kind in the
United States, he said. In September, it will usher in a new chapter of workforce
development one that will transform the economic landscape of eastern Kentucky.
The academy will start with its 50-person intern cohort in September. The interns
will be paid throughout the 30-week training and those who pass assessments will be
hired by Interapt at the end of the internship.
Dr. Stephenson addressed the fear factor of approaching community, workforce and economic
development.
You can either fear everything and run, or face everything and rise, he said. The
choice is ours. You must be geometric thinkers, planning from all angles and solving
problems by degrees.
Other panelists included: Jill Van Beke, director of entrepreneurship and innovation
for Launch Tennessee, and Joseph Carlucci, of the New River Gorge Regional Development
Authority. Tamarah Holmes, associate director of policy and strategic development
from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, moderated the session.
I am very appreciative to the Appalachian Regional Commission and my colleagues from
Tennessee for the invitation and hospitality, said Dr. Stephenson. We are on the cusp
of transformation in the Big Sandy region and we are working with partners from all
sectors to help lead the charge.