A New Direction in Appalachia

The Appalachian College Association could have disbanded. The 35-member group of private liberal arts colleges and universities was providing a set of cornerstone services to its members -- professional development for faculty and staff members as well as a central library overseeing digital collections and group purchasing, databases and a reciprocal use program. But there was a sense that the association, traditionally focused on improving its members’ academic quality through programs like faculty fellowships and research grants, was drifting. On Monday, the association’s Board of Directors -- made up of its member presidents -- approved a new mission statement and strategic plan.