School Contact Information
The iBELIEVE Foundation strives to provide opportunities to Appalachian youth for the development of 21st Century Skills such as leadership, communication, and problem solving. Ultimately, our ambitious goal is to increase collegiate attendance and retention in the Appalachian communities of Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
The Need:
97% of Americans believe our students need "real world" skills to be successful beyond high school, according to the Leadership Conference Education Fund, National Survey on Common Core (2015). Yet, Appalachian students attend college at rates as low as 35% - far below the national average of 63%, according to the Appalachian Regional Commission. The iBELIEVE Summer Workshop is our signature program, designed to provide opportunities for students to develop real world leadership skills they need now in order to prepare them for the classrooms and jobs of tomorrow.
About Summer Workshops:
Who attends? Our programming is designed for high school students from Appalachian areas. We ask administrators to select students with leadership potential, students that could use a boost to become college-bound, or students who can make an impact on their school culture. We offer 3 years of summer programming, with Workshop 1 setting the foundation.
When is it? Workshop is a five day, four night camp held on college campuses in June/July. Students arrive on Sundays and leave on Thursdays.
Why college campuses? Because we care so much about college admission, we want students to experience our workshops in college settings. Our campus partners provide incredible contexts for learning.
What is the cost? Attendance is 100% free for every student, including meals and lodging. Students are only asked to provide their own transportation to/from the workshop.
Our Guiding Principles For Student Learning:
Our programs are based on concepts of experiential learning. We believe that all students have a natural potential for learning, and that meaningful learning involves the whole person, including thoughts and feelings. Knowledge that is self-discovered and socially-supported is the most meaningful, and is the most likely to make a difference in behaviors. Our programming puts these concepts into action, as we equip students with the interpersonal and executive skills that support back-at-school learning. Through individual and group activities, challenges, and moments for reflection, our delegates seize the opportunity to return to their schools and communities to become impactful leaders with the vision, drive, and skills to pursue their dreams!
learn more and get involved:
For more information, please contact one of our programming staff members below
Ohio | Kentucky - Connie Miley | cmiley@theibelievefoundation.org
West Virginia | Pennsylvania - Stefani Murray | smurray@theibelievefoundation.org
Columbus City Schools - DaVonti’ Haynes | dhaynes@theibelievefoundation.org
Chelsea Hartman | chartman@theibelievefoundation.org