The Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Gender in Appalachia (CSEGA) program was made possible by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation in 1996. The program was established to research and promote research on the various aspects of the people, cultures, and lives within the Appalachian region. The program’s success continued with a second grant by the Rockefeller Foundation in 2000 that allowed it to continue its outstanding work. In December of 2003, CSEGA was awarded another grant by the National Endowment for the Humanities to continue their work. The program’s accomplishments have included sponsoring 10 scholars in residence, 7 scholar affiliates, and hosting 2 conferences.
CSEGA Director
Prof. Jessica Lowman has been the director of CSEGA since 2024. She currently holds the rank of assistant professor and works as a librarian and archivist in Marshall University Special Collections. For more information about CSEGA or the Sarah Denman Faces of Appalachia Fellowship, you may contact the CSEGA director by email.
Jessica Lowman
Director, CSEGA
Assistant Professor / Archivist and Digital Stewardship Librarian
lowman@marshall.edu
Current CSEGA Advisory Board
The CSEGA program is fortunate to have a dedicated group of professors and administrators from Marshall University overseeing its operations. The individuals currently serving on the CSEGA Advisory Board are:
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Mary Thomas, Appalachian Studies Association
Ann Bryant, Appalachian Studies Association
Prof. Jessica Lowman, University Libraries, CSEGA Director
Prof. Lori Thompson, University Libraries
Dr. Kelli Johnson, University Libraries
Prof. Sarah Mollette, University Libraries
Dr. Kimberly McFall, College of Education and Professional Development
Dr. Sarah Walton, College of Liberal Arts
Current Funding Sources
The CSEGA program was awarded a $500,000 challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to continue our work. More information about this grant is available here: NEH Challenge Grant.