Appalachian Future Educators

About the Program

The program’s purpose is to enhance the pipeline of qualified educators and educational leaders returning to the 22 counties in MSU's historical service region: Bath, Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Elliott, Fleming, Floyd, Greenup, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Letcher, Lewis, Magoffin, Martin, Mason, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Pike, Rowan, and Wolfe counties.
 
Through this program, the Volgenau College of Education is strengthening partnerships with school districts in identifying, recruiting, and mentoring students from the region so they can return and give back to their home communities as rural educational leaders. The AFE Scholars Program symbolizes MSU’s renewed commitment to its historic mission as “a Light to the Mountains.”
 
The AFE Scholars Program includes a specially designated First Year Seminar (FYS) course section that introduces scholars to academic life at MSU and what it means to be an effective educational leader within the rural school setting. In future semesters, these skills are developed through the interdisciplinary exploration of educational leadership and citizenship topics tied to service learning experiences.
 
AFE Scholars participate in a cohort with scheduled group meetings that focus on service learning opportunities that address educational needs within the local community and MSU service region. Each AFE Scholar is also paired with a mentor associated with the Volgenau College of Education or our P-12 partner school districts to assist in the transition to university life, exploration of educator preparation career pathways, and reflection on service learning experience through a leadership development lens.