Appalachia
Committedtoservingstudentsofappalachiasince1855
43% of first-year Berea students are from Kentucky and the Appalachian region.
WHAT IS APPALACHIA?
It is long dirt roads and quiet mountain towns. It is the Catskills of New York and the steel mills of Alabama. It is new highways and high rises and streams through meadows. Friday night football and Affrilation poets.
Appalachia is Dolly and black freedom colonies. It is coal mining and solar power farms. It is Native American ancestral spaces and big city bookstores and gas station ice cream and Ikea stores. Appalachia is cities and hollers. It is hard work and complex history and beautiful stories.
Appalachia was America’s first frontier, and it has always been where progress and history dance. Berea College is a place that serves the region of Appalachia. But we do more than that. We honor it.
We are excited to be a part of the future of Appalachia by providing extraordinary students with extraordinary support.
PROFILE OF BEREA
#1
Best Bang for the Buck in the Southern U.S.
- Washington Monthly
#1
Best Value College in the U.S. - Wall Street Journal
#2
Best Liberal Arts Colleges - Washington Monthly
INVESTING IN LIVES SINCE 1855
Berea College believes your income shouldn’t limit your outcome. Because of our unique mission to serve high-achieving students with limited financial resources, we are and have always been a college unlike any other.
1,400+
62%
125+
14
47% 100%
number of total students enrolled at Berea. departments from which students can choose to work. of students graduate debt-free. average number of students in each class. of students represent an ethnic minority. of students don't pay tuition.
Stats on this page may have changed since time of printing. Find the latest stats here:
Berea, Kentucky
LEARN MORE
“I was convinced I could never afford to attend college and pursue my dreams—but then I found Berea. The No-Tuition Promise made the impossible possible for me and my family.”
- Seth from Hazard, KY
“The possibilities for my future are endless. Berea’s No-Tuition Promise ensures my hard work is being rewarded, and helps my family in the process. It allows me to graduate with little to no debt and a bright future.”
- Shadia from Knoxville, TN
Areas of Study Major Minor
Areas of Study Major Minor
GET INVOLVED
PLANETARIUM
Check out a plethora of stunning planetarium shows at the digital 4k Berea College Planetarium, located in the Margaret A. Cargill Natural Sciences and Health Building. The planetarium provides a high-quality educational and entertainment experience that inspires curiosity and wonder about the natural world.
WORK PROGRAM
Every Berea student has a campus job so they get to know co-workers as well as classmates! There are 125+ areas to work in with positions ranging from: being the school mascot to taking photos for the marketing team, working as a teacher’s assistant for a coding class, or working in our finance office.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE PROGRAM
This program combines outdoor activity, leadership, and inclusivity to provide opportunities for student engagement with the outdoors. They not only have a great time, but also learn how to incorporate recreational wellness and nature as a part of a healthy lifestyle.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
Berea students unite to promote student welfare, represent student concerns and opinions, protect the best interests of their peers, and foster communication among the faculty, staff, and students.
DID YOU KNOW?
Berea College is one of only a handful of colleges in the nation, and the ONLY college in Kentucky that meets 100% of every student’s calculated need – without loans – until they graduate.
FOLK-ROOTS ENSEMBLE
The Folk-Roots Ensemble uses music native to Appalachian regions and blends it with folk music to create musical arrangements. This ensemble unites students through performances, rehearsals, and creativity to showcase the history and joy of folk music to all that encounter it.
APPALACHIAN STUDENT UNION
The Appalachian Student Union supports Appalachian students and those that are not from Appalachia but appreciate learning about it. This union strives to create a space where students feel welcome and excited to learn about Appalachian culture and its many facets.
COUNTRY DANCERS
The Country Dancers history goes back to 1938 when the group first started performing globally. They incorporate traditional dances from across the world in their routines. The Country Dancers use the unity that dance brings to form this special Berea College dance group.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD
A multi-year learning experience for undergraduate students to practice and implement Entrepreneurial Leadership in rural communities of Central Appalachia is the heart of EPG. Students develop teambuilding and business skills in this program.
BEREA COLLEGE MAKERSPACE
Makerspace is a flexible, hands-on environment that supports selfdirected and collaborative projects involving computational design methods beyond the desktop. From building interactive artistic installations, to designing physical computing interfaces, to investigating transdisciplinary applications like bio-hacking and citizen science, Makerspace is where its at. Resources available include AxiDraw, a vinyl cutter printer, a 3D printer, and more!
CAMPUS ACTIVITIES BOARD
The Campus Activities Board (CAB) is a volunteer student organization that plans and coordinates student activities on campus. They promote a healthy, productive atmosphere on campus and plan fun events and activities to keep students engaged.
GROW APPALACHIA
Berea College students prioritize serving their communities, and Grow Appalachia is part of that. As a Strategic Initiative of Berea College, Grow Appalachia adresses food insecurity throughout central Appalachia through home and community garden initiatives, foodways, farming, and hunger relief programming.
BLUEGRASS MUSIC ENSEMBLE
The Bluegrass Music Ensemble provides students with the opportunity to improve their individual and collective musical skills through performing in a traditional bluegrass band format. The overall style and character of the ensemble reflects the actual abilities and preferences of the ongoing membership of the group. Students actively participate in song selection and instrumental and vocal arrangements, giving each member the authentic experience of performing in a working bluegrass band. Having performed around the country, the ensemble is a celebration of traditional Appalachian music and a testament to exemplary artistry in the region as a new generation of Appalachians put their spin on the genre.
FOLLOW THE LEGACY OF PROUD APPALACHIANS
FERNANDO
Richmond, VA
“I told my mom, I said, ‘Mom, they don’t know it yet. But this is where I’m going. This is my school.’ It kind of felt like home. I never had [even] been there. But it just felt…this is really where I’m supposed to go.”
YEONGHA
Ringgold, GA
“Berea is a small liberal arts college. But what you gain from it...it’s not small...it’s infinitely large. There’s no school like this...where they pay for your MCAT materials or anything [else] like preparation materials. If you have to go somewhere for interview, there’s no school like Berea who pays you to go there. [Berea] really invests in your future and whatever you want to accomplish. And I don’t think any other school really, really shows it that way.”
ELIZABETH
Florence, AL
“Because of Berea College, I was given an opportunity that I would not have had otherwise. I’ve been given a degree. I’ve been given a community. I’ve been given food and shelter. I’ve been given hope. I was able to put some time into myself and learn what I want out of life. Berea gave me the space to cultivate that, and allowed me to engage with people outside my community; learn what they’ve been through, how they’ve navigated through the world.”
VICTOR
Clarkesville, TN
“I had never heard about Berea before in my life. I never knew what that place was, never heard of the college. And then they’re telling me [about the No-Tuition Promise]. I’m like, what kind of scam is this? So it was definitely surprising to hear about this school, and I was appreciative of those two school advisors and also my guidance counselor who were telling me about [Berea]. And that’s how I learned about it. And I just kept doing my research. And I was like, Berea College, Berea College. Like, yeah.”
ZY
Oxford, AL
“I don’t think I’d be the person I am today if I didn’t come here. Berea changed me in a good way. I’ve become a better person. I feel more outspoken and more open to experiencing different things.”
SABINA
Raleigh, NC
“The model that Berea has where we have a tuition-free promise is important to the fact that it allows everyone to be on a more level playing field. It doesn’t stunt anyone from their growth because, ‘Oh, I want to take this class,’ or, ‘I want to be at this institution and pursue this, but I can’t do it because of money.’ At Berea money isn’t an impending factor. It’s more of your education and cares about your study.”
DID YOU KNOW?
39% of Berea’s student body call Appalachia home.
JUSTIN
Burnsville, WV
“I wanted to go to school without taking out loans and having to rely on getting scholarships. This school offered me more than I ever anticipated by giving me a laptop and a tuitionfree promise. I grew up with a very unsubstantial financial basis and this school offered me a route out of my position.”
MALENA
Decatur, AL
“Apart from the fact that Berea College offers an excellent opportunity through the No-Tuition Promise, what made me decide to come to Berea College is that it is different from all other colleges. In addition to having incredible programs and opportunities for personal and professional growth, the school cares about its students, and there are always many people willing to help you.”
UNIQUE HISTORY
1855
Berea College was founded as the first interracial and coeducational college in the South.
1858
J. A. R. Rogers identified the Appalachian region as a “neglected part of the country” and Berea College was committed to serve it.
1962
Berea first articulated its Great Commitments. These commitments remain an important part of the college today, including the commitment to engage Appalachian communities, families, and students in partnership for mutual learning, growth, and service.
1974
The first Celebration of Traditional Music takes place as a part of the Loyal Jones Appalachian Center’s Traditional Music Committee.
1987
The $5 million Appalachian Fund was given to Berea by Herbert and Ruth Faber. Still active today, the fund remains dedicated to its original mission of improving the general education, health and well-being of people living in Appalachia.
2002
Berea establishes the Entrepreneurship for the Public Good program, which aims to develop entrepreneurial leaders who create positive social change in the Appalachian region and beyond.
1906
The Labor Program was formalized into every student’s educational experience.
1970
The Berea College Loyal Jones Appalachian Center was created.
1985
A publication now known as the Appalachian Review begins at Berea, highlighting art and writing of the region. Contributors to the magazine include: finalists for the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award; winners of the T. S. Eliot Award, the E.B. White Award, an O. Henry Prize, among others; and Pushcart Prize nominees.
1988
Berea began the Brushy Fork Leadership Institute to partner with Central Appalachian communities and organizations to provide leadership training, organizational development workshops, and technical assistance to communities.
NOW Berea continues its commitment to Appalachia by providing tuition-free education, fostering leadership and service among its students, and working towards sustainable economic development in the region.
WHAT APPALACHIA MEANS TO ME
“Being
Appalachian is about place, identity, and heritage.
It’s about understanding the richness of cultures within the region and your own as well. There is no one way of being Appalachian. There are Appalachians who are rural, urban, Black, White, Queer, and so many other things! To me, being Appalachian is celebrating who I am, who those before me were, and who those around me are.
“The college has really helped me come to terms with who I am as an Appalachian person. It has helped me grapple with harsh realities of the region and with the deep, rich history. The Appalachian Studies department and Appalachian Center have truly taught me to love who I am and where I am from more than I ever thought I could.
“I feel very at home with the Bluegrass and Folk-Roots Ensembles on campus, along with some of my peers who I have met in classes, at events, and through other peers. I’ve come to love just hanging out at the Appalachian Center and it has become a place where I can be myself and have a home away from home.
“Early on, I had a hard time finding my place. I found other students and staff who have helped me through those difficult times. Don’t be afraid to reach out. It’s completely normal to feel nervous. Be willing to put yourself out there, go to events, and find the community that is right for you! As an introvert with anxiety, I know it can be hard to get out there, but you can join clubs, organizations, or ensembles where you can have a safe, welcoming place and will feel more at home on campus. Try new things and something is bound to work!”
- Charity, from Fogertown, Kentucky
FORESTRY OUTREACH CENTER
The Forestry Outreach Center provides a space where students can learn about the natural world and, specifically, the Berea College Forest, prioritizing community education, community building, and caretaking.
Berea College currently manages over 9,000 acres of forest land with 12 miles of trails, and offers both classes and outreach programs related to forestry.
The Center’s Management efforts focus on wood, water, wildlife and recreation, with an emphasis on sustainability. The Berea College Forest is a resource to demonstrate and evaluate the results of long-term forest management in the Southern Appalachian Region.
Past Events
• Wildflower Walk with an Ecologist
• Nature Hikes at the Pinnacles
• Star Party (stargaze through telescopes)
• Nature Relaxation and Restoration
• Anglin Falls Hike
• Group Hike/Walk at the Pinnacles
• Winter Scavenger Hunt
• Considering Home: Changing Narratives about the Land Through Education and Conversations (lecture)
• Houseplant Adopt & Swap
• The Political Economy Of Appalachian Forests (lecture)
• Apple Cider Pressing & Tasting
• Tree Planting
• Earth Day Festival
• Night Hike
• Free Trees & Backyard Ecosystems Workshop
“Having a group that you fit into, people to look up to and people to talk to is important.”
MICAH
Middlesboro, KY
APPALACHIAN MALE LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE
To Micah, Appalachia means home. It means family. It also means hard work, and that is a value he carries with him throughout all he does. “There’s a real work ethic that people tend to believe in,” he said, “working hard to get what you want.”
Micah grew up in central Appalachia and spent his time split between Bell County, Ky., and Claiborne County, Tenn. However, he says he did not fully comprehend the rich history and culture of the area. In his first semester at Berea College, Micah joined the Appalachian Male Initiative (AMI) and took a course on the history and culture of the region. “The Appalachian Cultures class I got put in my first semester, I learned so much that I didn’t know about the history of Appalachia and the kind of people who first were here and everything,” Micah said.
Along with the knowledge the students gain in the program, AMI is meaningful because it provides a supportive space for Appalachian males to be themselves. “Having a group that you fit into, people to look up to and people to talk to is important,” he said. Micah was the first to graduate with a college degree in his family and has gone on to study physical therapy in graduate school at the University of Kentucky.
LOYAL JONES
APPALACHIAN CENTER
The Appalachian Center is dedicated to cultivating student and scholarly interest in Appalachian Studies and educating others about the region. Its mission is to empower Appalachian communities through democratic participation, social justice, and environmental stewardship, while also fostering sustainable local economies and preserving the region’s cultural heritage. The center provides a multifunctional space, which serves as a visitors center, classroom, gallery, exhibition space, theater, and performance hall. The center seeks to showcase the richness of the Appalachian region and its diverse cultures through celebrations, historical preservation, and promoting scholarship that benefits the region. The Appalachian Center actively engages students in hands-on learning experiences, including research, exhibits, presentations, and performances. To foster the College’s Great Commitment to serve Appalachia, the center continues to develop service-oriented leaders for Appalachia by sponsoring and integrating educational programs on and off campus; explore and illuminate the richness of the Appalachian region.
Past Events
Appalachian Potluck Homecoming Celebration of Traditional Music Documentary Screenings
Firmly Rooted: Combining a Sense of Place with Art
Kentucky Wildlands: Biodiversity, Climate Resilience & Just Transition
Poetry Reading & Open Mic
Reading with National Book Award Finalists
We’ve Always Been Here: Refuting the Myth of Black Invisibility in Central Appalachia
Writers of Appalachia Series
Youth Assembly for Just Economic Transition
BEREA’S CENTERS OF SUPPORT
CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN LEARNING THROUGH SERVICE
CELTS strives to educate students for leadership in service and social justice through promotion and coordination of academic service-learning and student-led community service. CELTS serves as a common meeting place for those involved with Berea’s service-related activities.
www.berea.college/cie
CAMPUS CHRISTIAN CENTER
The CCC provides devotional study of Christian scripture, interfaith conversations and events, and intellectual and spiritual engagement with the Christian faith through convocations, lectureships, workshops, and occasional spiritual retreats. Additionally, professional college chaplains offer pastoral counselling.
www.berea.college/celts
CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
The CIE fosters understanding of, and respect for all peoples of the earth. The CIE provides study abroad opportunities and on-campus cross-cultural engagement through special lectures and forums, cultural events (such as dance and music performances), hosting Fulbright scholars, and holding religious ceremonies.
BLACK CULTURAL CENTER
The BCC is designed to provide services that facilitate a campus environment that is supportive of the needs of Black/African American peoples at Berea College. Through programming, the center provides services to support the recruitment, retention, and graduation of Black students.
CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING
The CTL brings together trained faculty, staff, and student leaders to deepen their confidence, skills, perspectives, and insights as readers, writers, learners, and teachers. Get one-on-one help with everything from essays to resumes and the academic support you need to excel in college.
www.berea.college/ljac
CARTER G. WOODSON CENTER FOR INTERRACIAL EDUCATION
The CGWC fosters communication around Berea College’s 5th Great Commitment: To assert the kinship of all people and provide interracial education with a particular emphasis on understanding and equality among blacks and whites.
www.berea.college/bhc
LOYAL JONES APPALACHIAN CENTER
The LJAC exists to support the success of students from Appalachia as well as explore and illuminate, for all people, the richness of the Appalachian region, people, and cultures by celebrating, sustaining, and sharing the historical and cultural diversity in Appalachia...recognizing the importance of place and heritage in a rapidly changing world.
www.berea.college/cgwc
bell hooks center
The bell hooks center is an inclusive space where historically under-represented students can come to be as they are, outside of the social scripts that circumscribe their living. We curate programs, collaborations and events that affirm these students’ sense of self and belonging—on campus and in the world.
