During your time in EPG, you will focus on the Cycle of Abilities, which centers on six core learning goals of the program that you can apply to both your professional and personal life.
Engaging Complexity and Uncertainty
An EPG Fellow, whether within Appalachia or elsewhere, recognizes the complexities and uncertainties that shape contemporary society, and they can act effectively in the face of such uncertainty and complexity.
In everyday life, this might look like staying calm and resourceful when things don’t go as planned, finding creative solutions even in unpredictable situations.
Exploring Values and Ethical Structure
An EPG Fellow, whether within Appalachia or elsewhere, can uncover contemporary community values and the ethical structures built on such values.
In practice, this means learning to listen deeply, act with empathy, and build honest relationships grounded in shared respect and understanding.
Facilitating Group Decisions
An EPG Fellow, whether within Appalachia or elsewhere, focuses on the ideas of individuals in communities and assists in translating some of those ideas into opportunities.
During your time in EPG, you’ll strengthen communication and leadership skills that help groups make decisions, align around goals, and move forward together.
Recognizing Opportunity
An EPG Fellow, whether within Appalachia or elsewhere, works systematically with community members to identify opportunities for change in that community.
This means being able to see possibilities where others see obstacles, and having the mindset to turn challenges into progress.
Mobilizing Resources
An EPG Fellow, whether within Appalachia or elsewhere, identifies the physical capital, human capital, social capital, financial capital, environmental capital, political capital, and technological capital needed to pursue a community opportunity, and designs a plan for reorienting or increasing these resources.
You’ll learn that the most valuable resources aren’t always financial; sometimes it’s about knowing who to ask, where to look, and how to bring people together to make things happen.
Advocating Change
An EPG Fellow, whether within Appalachia or elsewhere, uses oral, written, and visual communication in various settings to persuade others to adopt a needed change.
Through EPG, you’ll find your voice and your confidence, you’ll learn that you belong in every room, and you’ll be equipped to speak up, take action, and lead change wherever you go.
