| The Appalachian region is known for its natural beauty, but perhaps it is best known for its pervasive poverty and lack of educational attainment by the people of this region. One of the reasons for this low educational attainment is that students from Appalachia, particularly those who are the first in their families to attend college, first-generation, face numerous obstacles as they seek college graduation. This dissertation is not another study for or to the Appalachian community. Rather, this dissertation seeks to conduct a study with the Appalachian community for the benefit of the College community.;This dissertation takes on the work of bringing members of the Appalachian community, and members of the College community into conversation with one another. Through the World Cafe process members of each of these communities have conversation with one another. As a result of the World Cafe process community leadership develops so that the knowledge of the gathered community increases. As a result of this increase in knowledge the gathered community mutually identified both challenges and potential pathways forward for first-generation Appalachian students and colleges as these students seek to attain a college degree. Colleges are challenged to work alongside these students and the community they represent so as to create a College culture which better understands these students in a holistic way. This College culture will need to seek to understand and support the student academically, socially, and culturally as they progress through college. i. |
