Ross County Educator Awarded Scholarship to Pursue Advanced Degree

Article Presented By Kingston National Bank…

NELSONVILLE, Ohio – Malachi Pulliam, a counselor and coach at Paint Valley Local Schools, has received a full scholarship to pursue an advanced degree thanks to an anonymous gift to the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) and a new partnership with American College of Education (ACE).

Pulliam is part of FAO’s Growing Home Fellowship, a five-year program launched in 2023 to recruit and prepare young educators for leadership roles in their broader communities. He is among 15 Growing Home Fellows selected to receive ACE scholarships through a competitive application process.

“These scholarships will allow Malachi and others to earn doctorate degrees, principal’s certificates or other master’s level credentials they otherwise might not be able to pursue while managing work and family responsibilities,” said Cara Dingus Brook, FAO president and CEO. “These young community builders are already leading in deep and meaningful ways across Appalachian Ohio. But now, they’ll be able to strengthen their skills and advance their careers and their service to their communities.”

Through the Growing Home Fellowship, FAO has invested in more than 100 emerging leaders who have chosen to grow their lives and their careers in Appalachian Ohio. Fellows commit to live, work and serve in the region for at least five years. In return, they receive financial support, leadership coaching, immersive retreats, access to grant funding and a powerful network of peers who share their commitment to their communities.

Fellows are currently serving in 29 of Appalachian Ohio’s 32 counties, meeting critical needs and ensuring that everyone in the region has opportunities to flourish. Through their service, they are addressing food insecurity, increasing health and wellness, strengthening economic vitality, creating access to arts, stewarding the environment and more.

With his ACE scholarship, Pulliam is pursuing a master’s degree in educational leadership. “Receiving the ACE scholarship means getting an additional opportunity to positively impact my community,” he said. “I plan on using the scholarship to earn my principal licensure to further my career and my opportunities to be a community leader. This opportunity will allow me to become either a principal or athletic director if the opportunity arises.”

Pulliam serves on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Ohio, connecting local youth with mentors, involving middle and high school students in programming and boosting fundraisers.

Co-founded by Jackson County, Ohio, native Tom Evans, ACE is a fully accredited online private college specializing in high-quality, affordable programs in education, business, healthcare and nursing, which allows fellows to continue their education while managing work and family responsibilities.

“These young leaders are committed to making a difference, both inside and outside the classroom,” said ACE Chief Growth Officer Monica Carson. “We’re proud to partner with FAO to provide them with opportunities to deepen their skills in ways that will benefit their students, their families and their communities for years to come.”

A 501(c)(3) public charity, FAO is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. In partnership with 14 geographic affiliate foundations and the regionwide African American Community Fund, FAO works to unleash the collective potential within Appalachian Ohio by encouraging and supporting philanthropy.

Four years into the pilot fellowship program, Growing Home Fellows are serving more than 90 nonprofit and civic organizations, actively contributing to the vitality of their Appalachian Ohio communities. For more information about FAO’s Growing Home Fellowship, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org/GrowingHome.