Rian Johnson
Associate Director of Content Development
We are thrilled to share that our Program Manager, Rose-Linda “Rosie” Stafford, has joined an elite group of just 15 professionals in Kentucky to earn the Grant Professional Certified (GPC) credential.
This certification, awarded by the Grant Professionals Certification Institute (GPCI), is the gold standard for grant professionals nationwide. With fewer than 650 GPCs across the country, Rosie’s accomplishment is both rare and impactful for our region.
“Melissa Newman suggested I pursue my GPC, and my mentor, Geri Willis, encouraged me as well,” Rosie said. “With their support, I knew I could do it. To now be one of only 15 in Kentucky with this credential is an honor.”
The journey was no small task. To qualify, Rosie had to submit proof of past grant successes, professional recommendations, and academic credentials before being approved to sit for a rigorous exam. Hours of study, binders of notes, study groups, and practice exams all led to this milestone.
Dr. Melissa Newman, APPC2C’s Executive Director, praised the achievement:
“Rosie’s GPC certification reflects the rigor, ethics, and excellence she brings to our work every day. This milestone elevates APPC2C’s capacity to design high-quality projects and to steward public and philanthropic dollars for the greatest impact across Appalachian Kentucky.”
Rosie points to an early milestone in her career as one of her proudest achievements: securing 21st Century Community Learning Center (21 CCLC) funding for afterschool programs at four schools. Years earlier, she had directed a 21 CCLC program herself, so being able to write the successful grants that kept those opportunities alive for students felt like coming full circle.
We couldn’t be prouder to celebrate this achievement—one that strengthens our entire partnership.
One of 15: Rosie Stafford Earns Prestigious GPC Certification
We are thrilled to share that our Program Manager, Rose-Linda “Rosie” Stafford, has joined an elite group of just 15 professionals in Kentucky to earn
Why Be at School? Because the Future Is Built One Day at a Time
As National Attendance Awareness Month begins, I think back on 30 years in education—and it’s not the ceremonies or milestones I remember most, but the
Rural AmeriCorps: Building Communities from the Inside Out
— Dreama Gentry, President and CEO, Partners for Rural Impact AmeriCorps is often framed as an urban program, where young people travel to unfamiliar cities
Turning the Page on Our Literacy Crisis Will Require All of Us
Editor’s Note: This blog post is co-authored by Dr. Felicia Cumings Smith, President & CEO of the National Center for Family Learning, and Dreama Gentry,
Hearts and Minds United: How Monthly APPC2C Partner Meetings Are Building a Better Appalachia
When the Appalachian Cradle to Career Partnership (APPC2C) convenes its monthly partner meeting, the energy in the (virtual) room is undeniable. Despite the distance between
From Behind the Lens to Big Dreams: Meet Ella Harris
Meet Ella Harris — a cheerful, mindful, and kind soul who has been shining on our communications team with her creativity and positive energy! A