We envision a prosperous Appalachian Kentucky where all people thrive.
About Us
The Appalachian Cradle to Career Partnership (APPC2C) is a collaborative initiative transforming Appalachian Kentucky through a place-based, people-centered approach. By addressing critical issues such as chronic absenteeism, youth mental health, transportation, and domestic abuse, APPC2C works with schools, libraries, and community organizations to foster equity and connectivity. The partnership supports grant writing to secure resources and implements innovative programs like Diversity on the Shelves and digital connectivity initiatives to bridge gaps in education, technology, and cultural inclusion. Guided by its mission to ensure equitable opportunities from cradle to career, APPC2C promotes lifelong learning, workforce development, and transformation in our rural places.
Partners
Our Team
DR. MELISSA NEWMAN
AVP for Place-Based Partnerships: Investment & Sustainability and Executive Director of the Appalachian Cradle to Career Partnership
Learn more about Melissa
Dr. Melissa Newman is the Associate Vice President for Place-Based Partnerships: Investment & Sustainability at Partners for Rural Impact and Executive Director of the Appalachian Cradle to Career Partnership. Her dual roles support convening strategically aligned organizations in Kentucky’s Appalachia and also guiding other rural places nationally in their own cradle to career work, specifically around communication and policy, with a mission and vision to create cradle-to-career systems transformation in rural America.
Melissa has dedicated her career to elevating the status of Kentucky’s Appalachia through fundraising, grant writing, public and community relations, and research.
Melissa is a former journalist, public relations practitioner, and published novelist. Her academic research focuses on how the news media has influenced sustained negative stereotypes in Appalachia and has revealed that changing the region’s story can positively impact individuals, their communities, and the economy. More recent work includes a book chapter she co-authored, A History of Media Coverage of Poverty in the United States Since 1960, as part of a collective of work within “The Routledge Companion to Media and Poverty” that explores the complex, and often problematic, ways in which the news media shapes perceptions of poverty. Melissa also teaches in the Department of Communication at Eastern Kentucky University.
RIAN JOHNSON
Associate Director of Content Development
Learn more about Rian
Rian Johnson serves as the Associate Director of Content Development for Place-Based Partnerships at Partners for Rural Impact. In this role, she oversees and implements strategic messaging to enhance the organization’s visibility, reputation, and engagement with key stakeholders, with a particular focus on supporting rural areas within the Place Team’s portfolio.
Rian is an accomplished communications specialist with extensive experience in social media marketing, project management, and copywriting. Her career, primarily centered around education, also encompasses valuable experience in sales and corporate communications, providing a well-rounded skill set that enhances her effectiveness in diverse professional environments.
Rian’s efforts in building and maintaining partnerships with community organizations and educational institutions have significantly enhanced outreach effectiveness, contributing to the overall success of her initiatives.
In addition to her professional roles, Rian actively volunteers and serves on her local school board and the chamber of commerce. This deep commitment to community service and rural education aligns perfectly with the mission of Partners for Rural Impact, which aims to ensure that all rural students succeed.
Rian’s dedication to rural education and community engagement continues to make a significant impact on the communities she serves, furthering the mission of Partners for Rural Impact and fostering successful outcomes for rural students.
ROSIE STAFFORD
Project Manager
Learn more about Rosie
Rose-Linda Stafford, a dynamic leader with over two decades of experience in grant writing, program management, and community engagement, serves as Project Manager for the Appalachian Cradle to Career Partnership at Partners for Rural Impact (PRI). In this role, she applies her extensive expertise to convene stakeholders, support sustainability efforts, and align resources to achieve cradle-to-career outcomes for children in Appalachia.
Rosie’s career is defined by her commitment to educational advancement and family support. As Director of Development and Volunteer Services at the Paramount Arts Center, she increased fundraising and secured vital grant funding to support youth education and community programs.
Prior to that, Rosie spent 12 years as Coordinator of the South Ashland Family Resource Center, where she facilitated services to remove barriers to education and secured more than $15 million in grant funding for the Ashland Independent School District.
A skilled communicator and collaborator, Rosie has led numerous regional and statewide initiatives. She is a certified Trauma-Informed Trainer and a national trainer for the National Family Support Network Standards of Quality. Her leadership includes serving on multiple advisory councils, chairing the Northeastern Alliance Community Early Childhood Council, and engaging in advocacy efforts for children and families.
Rosie holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Kentucky and is known for her expertise in federal and state grants management, strategic planning, and capacity building. She is deeply committed to PRI’s mission of ensuring that all rural students succeed and leverages her skills to create lasting impact across the Appalachian region.
HANNA GABBARD
Director of Partnerships
Learn more about Hanna
Hanna Gabbard is a dedicated public administration professional with a passion for advancing educational and community outcomes in the Appalachian region. She combines academic expertise in public administration and Appalachian studies with hands-on experience in rural development, program management, and partnership building.
In her current role as Director of Partnerships for the Appalachian Cradle to Career Partnership at Partners for Rural Impact (PRI), Hanna leads collaborative initiatives to align resources, drive results, and accelerate cradle-to-career outcomes for young people. Her work focuses on engaging local and regional partners in the Martin, Johnson, Floyd, and Lawrence counties to develop innovative strategies that ensure all rural students succeed.
Hanna brings extensive experience in managing federal grants, overseeing large-scale initiatives, and building sustainable community partnerships. Her background includes leadership roles in program management and strategic communications, where she successfully engaged stakeholders, mentored teams, and advanced capacity-building efforts across the Appalachian region.
As a proud graduate of BRIGHT Kentucky, a leadership program for emerging leaders in Appalachia, Hanna is passionate about leveraging partnerships and community assets to create equitable opportunities for all. A lifelong resident of the region, she is committed to advancing PRI’s mission of ensuring success for every child, regardless of zip code or background.