Mid-Ohio Valley schools are filled with talented, dedicated educators who routinely improve their students’ lives and their communities. A couple of Marietta College employees are being honored by the Appalachian Regional Commission for fulfilling its mission in that regard.

Alexandra Perry, dean of the McDonough Center for Leadership and Business, and Chris Scheppner, director of admissions for Marietta College, have been named Appalachian Teaching Fellows for 2024-25 because of their participation in the Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative.

Marietta was the perfect spot for the work, as student research to assess rural health care workforce needs was carried out in partnership with the Ely Chapman Educational Foundation. Perry and Schnepper had the help of five students — Maria Cipro, Kianna O’Brienn, McKenna Barks, Jenna Levans and Abby May — in carrying out the research and presenting their findings at the ACRI capstone symposium.

“It is incredibly rewarding to witness students’ passion and growth as they realize the multiple levels at which they can have impact on their community,” Perry said. “On a personal level, they planned a health fair for their peers, but they now equally understand the significance of their work in relation to our work with Health Policy Institute of Ohio around how proposed changes to Medicaid expansion will affect Appalachian Ohio.”

Educators who go further inspire students who go further. We are fortunate to have those in our classrooms who lead in their communities, too.

Well done, folks.