Global Appalachia

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Global Appalachia Global Appalachia began with a simple idea: bridging the gap between the holler and the international arena.

We saw a need for perspectives to move beyond local silos and into global conversations—so we created a space where those voices matter.

Next stop, Kentucky! After serving abroad in Kyrgyzstan, Denmark, Croatia, Albania, and Trinidad and Tobago, career dipl...
09/28/2026

Next stop, Kentucky! After serving abroad in Kyrgyzstan, Denmark, Croatia, Albania, and Trinidad and Tobago, career diplomat Tom Selinger visited Wolfe County High School through the Global Appalachia Mentor Program. With over 130 students, Tom spoke about why why diplomacy matters to all of us, careers in foreign affairs, and how Kentucky diplomats made their mark abroad.
Their first time meeting a US diplomat, Wolfe County high school students asked terrific questions about the life of a diplomats, the role of embassies abroad, and how diplomacy started 250 years ago with Ben Franklin.
These engagements give students the international perspectives they need to succeed in increasingly connected business and education environments, inside and outside Kentucky.
Huge thanks to Tom for his time and insights with our students through the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST), and to Xiao Yin Zhao and the World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana for making the introductions that made this possible!
We're looking forward to continuing this series next month with Ambassador Greta Holtz!

Today, we remember and honor. 🇺🇸Never forget.
09/11/2026

Today, we remember and honor. 🇺🇸
Never forget.

Global Appalachia is pleased to welcome Michael McClellan as our Executive Director.Michael brings decades of experience...
09/08/2026

Global Appalachia is pleased to welcome Michael McClellan as our Executive Director.

Michael brings decades of experience in diplomacy, international affairs, higher education, and cross-cultural engagement, along with a deep connection to Kentucky and a commitment to creating opportunities for young people across Appalachia.

In this role, Michael will help lead Global Appalachia’s strategy and growth, strengthen partnerships across the region and beyond, and work alongside our team to expand opportunities for Appalachian students to engage with international affairs, public service, education, and global career pathways.

Michael currently serves as Counselor to the President at the American University of Iraq - Baghdad and is a retired U.S. diplomat with a distinguished 30-year career in the Foreign Service. His international experience and commitment to Kentucky make him an excellent fit for Global Appalachia’s mission of connecting our region with the wider world.

We are excited to have Michael helping lead the next chapter of Global Appalachia and look forward to what we will build together.

Please join us in welcoming Michael to the team!

What does a Global Appalachia mentorship actually look like?There isn't one answer, because each experience is designed ...
08/29/2026

What does a Global Appalachia mentorship actually look like?
There isn't one answer, because each experience is designed around the students.
Through the Global Appalachia Mentor Network, teachers and mentors work together to create classroom engagements that connect students with international careers, experiences, and perspectives.

Students might explore a mentor's path into an international career, learn about the countries and cultures where they've lived and worked, dive deeper into topics connected to their classroom curriculum, or discuss practical steps they can take toward globally connected careers of their own.

Sessions can take the form of a presentation, discussion, Q&A, interactive activity, or a multi-session series. Global Appalachia helps make the connection, then teachers and mentors shape the experience around what will be most valuable for their students.

Interested in bringing a mentor to your classroom?
Visit globalappalachia.org or contact us at [email protected] to get started.

Who better to introduce students to global careers than the people who have actually lived them?The Global Appalachia Me...
08/27/2026

Who better to introduce students to global careers than the people who have actually lived them?

The Global Appalachia Mentor Network brings together professionals with experience across the U.S. Department of State, USAID, international development, intelligence, diplomacy, higher education, communications, technology, and more.
Our mentors have worked in embassies, served around the world, led international programs, built careers in public service, and taken paths that often began far from the places their careers eventually took them. Now they're ready to share those experiences with Kentucky students.

Teachers can explore our mentors and find someone whose experience connects with their classroom, curriculum, or students' interests.

Explore the network at globalappalachia.org.

Global careers can start anywhere, including right here in Appalachia.The Global Appalachia Mentor Network connects Kent...
08/25/2026

Global careers can start anywhere, including right here in Appalachia.

The Global Appalachia Mentor Network connects Kentucky high school students and classrooms with professionals working across diplomacy, international development, security, communications, law, public service, business, and more.

Our goal is simple: help students see opportunities they may not have known existed and connect what they're learning in the classroom to careers and issues around the world.

Kentucky is already deeply connected to the global economy. We want Appalachian students to see themselves as part of that story.

Teachers and schools interested in bringing the world into their classrooms can learn more at globalappalachia.org.

Over the past week, we've introduced the people helping shape the future of Global Appalachia. Today, we're closing the ...
07/27/2026

Over the past week, we've introduced the people helping shape the future of Global Appalachia. Today, we're closing the series by introducing our founder and a member of our Board of Directors, Tanner Willis.

Tanner is a native of Greenup County, Kentucky. He holds a master's degree in international affairs and diplomacy from the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and a bachelor's degree in international business from Marshall University. His professional experience includes nonprofit operations, international advocacy, project management, and compliance. His writing on public policy and public affairs has appeared in The Hill, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and The Courier Journal, and he is the author of Smoke and Silence: The Lives of Ol' Mort.

Tanner founded Global Appalachia with the belief that where someone grows up should never limit where they can go. He believes students across Appalachia deserve access to opportunities that broaden perspectives, expand possibilities, and open doors around the world.

Learn more about our board and leadership team: globalappalachia.org/about

Today, we're excited to introduce Chaz Martin, a member of our Board of Directors.Chaz is a former U.S. diplomat with ov...
07/24/2026

Today, we're excited to introduce Chaz Martin, a member of our Board of Directors.

Chaz is a former U.S. diplomat with over 20 years of experience across government, private sector, nonprofits, and international development. During his Foreign Service career, he served in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan, was named the U.S. Department of State's Linguist of the Year, and became the first Russian-language spokesperson for the United States at the United Nations General Assembly. He currently serves as Director of International Communications at Spirit of America.

His career in diplomacy and international engagement brings a global perspective to Global Appalachia as we work to connect Appalachia with the world.

Learn more about our board and leadership team: globalappalachia.org/about

Today, we're excited to introduce Langley Sebastian, Co-Founder and a member of our Board of Directors.Langley is pursui...
07/23/2026

Today, we're excited to introduce Langley Sebastian, Co-Founder and a member of our Board of Directors.

Langley is pursuing a law degree at the University of Melbourne, specializing in international human rights law. A graduate of Transylvania University and former Peace Corps volunteer in Cameroon, she has also lived in Italy and traveled to nearly thirty countries. Her experiences have shaped a deep commitment to global equity, food security, and human rights.

Langley helps shape Global Appalachia's vision while bringing a global perspective rooted in her Appalachian upbringing.

Learn more about our board and leadership team: globalappalachia.org/about

Today, we're excited to introduce Chad Rudd, a member of our Board of Directors.Chad is a lifelong resident of Wolfe Cou...
07/22/2026

Today, we're excited to introduce Chad Rudd, a member of our Board of Directors.

Chad is a lifelong resident of Wolfe County, Kentucky, where he has dedicated more than thirty years to education. He serves as assistant principal at Wolfe County High School, teaches College Algebra, and oversees district supplemental and after-school programs. Deeply rooted in Appalachia, Chad is passionate about expanding educational opportunities and preparing students for success both within the region and beyond.

His decades of experience as an educator and school leader bring a practical, student-centered perspective to Global Appalachia's mission.

Learn more about our board and leadership team: globalappalachia.org/about

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