Three Hollins University communication studies students attended the 49th Annual Appalachian Studies Association Conference at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, last month.
Visiting Lecturer of Communication Studies Jessica Baty-McMillan said Hollins’ students presented at the conference for the first time. Zuri Dooley ’26, Izzy Workman ’26, and Skye Claiborne ’29 led a panel discussion titled “Rooted and Rising: Belonging and Identity for Gen Z Appalachia.”
“We used Bell Hooks’ Belonging: A Culture of Place as our anchor,” Baty-McMillan said. “Izzy, Zuri, and Skye echoed Hooks by sharing a mix of autobiographical storytelling and cultural commentary on the connections among land, memory, identity, and place.”
Workman, a communication studies and psychology double-major from Shady Spring, West Virginia, said articulating her personal connection to Appalachia was the most impactful aspect of her experience.
“Our communities embody a depth of knowledge, insight, and cultural richness that is often overlooked,” Workman said. “Appalachia deserves thoughtful, meaningful recognition for both its cultural contributions and its complex historical legacy.”
Dooley, a communication studies major from Roanoke, Virginia, said a square-dancing workshop was a highlight.
“It was something I had never done and was so much fun to learn,” she said. “As a communication studies student, it is important to learn about different cultures, people, and our own identities so we can be well-rounded communicators.”
Baty-McMillan said the conference also featured presentations on Appalachian folklore and the rise of “spooky tourism” in the region.
“We also attended the conference drag show, which celebrates the diversity, resilience, and evolving identity of Appalachia while challenging traditional stereotypes,” she said. “It is a culminating event that demonstrates Appalachian values of community, joy, and inclusivity.”
Baty-McMillan said the students were warmly welcomed.
“Hollins University is in the Blue Ridge Mountains of south-central Appalachia, but many attendees were unfamiliar with the university or remembered it as ‘Hollins College,” she said. “It was great to see Hollins represented and engaged in conversations about our region.”
Dooley said studying communication studies at Hollins has broadened her career outlook.
“I originally had planned to become a radio personality, but now I want to use what I’ve learned to help people,” she said. “Whether that means nonprofit work or something else, I just want to improve the world we are living in. I love that communication studies is broad, with many different tactics that help students become great communicators.”
Workman said the program is distinguished by its emphasis on extending learning beyond the classroom.
“Students are consistently encouraged to apply theory in practical contexts, helping us recognize and analyze communication theory in everyday interactions,” she said. “I love that this field has not only deepened my understanding of communicative processes but has also cultivated my confidence to actively and meaningfully participate in scholarly discourse across diverse settings.”
